Year in Review

What a crazy year.  Last October I decided I really wanted to be an Ultra runner.  I had already done one, but it was only 51k and on the road.  I decided the point of ultra running, for me anyway is to really test yourself, test your limits, see what the old body can do.
You all know if you have read previous posts that running isn't something I have always done.  I am not fast and I used to be so out of shape I had to run/walk a 5k when I started.
So here I go on this journey.  I signed up for Old Pueblo 50 which was March 2, 2013 and I trained my butt off!  (In reality, my butt got tighter, but I didn't lose a single pound)  I accomplished the feat with a  bunch of awesome friends who thought it would be fun to spend the day and watch me suffer.

I had also applied to be an Altra Ambassador for my favorite shoes.  Altra Zero Drop for the Ultra Runner! Yay!  Believe it or not they chose me!!!  And best of all, throughout all of my adventures this year they are still my favorite shoe!
The week before OP50 we did Ragnar as an Ultra team. As good teammates they forbade me to take the long legs, so I think I only did 28-30 miles.  I was bummed, but I got to cross the finish line for our team. That was pretty spectacular.

It has been a fun year.

This shoe is my best traveling companion.

25 miles in I felt great.

Yeah, we do logos for everything.

My first belt buckle

This is me as a border patrol agent while I ran OP50

My first DNF.  It was a night run.  I fell and lost my nerve. It happens.

Hanging out in the trees having fun while the real me was trying to finish OP50

This has been an amazing year!  The beginning of my journey as an Ultra Runner and mentor.  It has been difficult and fun. I have fallen so many times.  Sometimes it just takes a minute and a few breathes before you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep moving.
I never in a million years thought I would be here today.  I am so happy and proud of who I have become and how I inspire others.  Along with the rest of the Cholla Chicks I expect so much from myself.  That "so much" means, successes and failures all bundled up to be an amazing adventure called life.
I am excited to see what next year brings.  My goals for the next 2 years are to qualify for Boston, complete OP50 in under 12 hours.  Do Zane Grey and figure out which terrifying 100 miler to do.

It's been a while since I have written here.  I have been busy with my new job which I really love but it takes me away from training and writing.  The Cholla Chicks running group is becoming more and more successful every day. 
A fantastic group of people have become part of it so it is chugging along beautifully and I always have someone to run with. :)
I LOVE that.
I have been wearing Altra Running shoes exclusively for the 8 months and I LOVE THEM!!
I run trails in the Lone Peaks.  I have gone through 2 pairs already.  For my long road runs I wear Torins which have a bit more cushion than the Instinct (the most popular shoe they make).  I have worn out 3 pairs of those.
I even started wearing the Torins to work.  They work great for all of the miles I put on my feet while waiting tables.
All in all things are pretty good.  I have nothing really exciting to report other than life is great, I love running, I love my Altra Running shoes and I love being part of the Cholla Chicks.
I am a pretty lucky girl.
Signing off,
Sue

I did it! I ran 50 miles!

My awesome Altra Lone Peaks

I did it.  I finished my first 50 mile running race.  Yes, that does mean on my feet, self propelled and no, I am not crazy. I don't think I am anyway.
Here it is.  A fun and zany weekend. In a nutshell:
-I ran for 50 miles
- I had the most awesome crew/cheersquad ever!!
-We slept under the stars--2 girls and a glock
-Mandi got her first ticket
-the girls had several run ins with border patrol
-we went wine tasting
-We met new besties
-the car broke down
-Michelle's car got a flat tire
Yes, as you can see, the 50 mile running race was not the highlight of the weekend, but rather one of several important details of a fun and interesting trip.

 

I did it for the belt buckle

My girls, the Cholla Chicks are the absolute best.

Who drives 3 hours to cheer on a friend??  These cray-cray girls

The run was awesome!  It took 15 hours (way too long--next year will be better (yes, that means I will be doing it again)).
I got one blister.  It was a big one; but come on, 50 miles what do you expect?

Post race blister surgery

I finished the race with a new friend.  We had a blast throughout the day talking and running.  When we finally finished we were DONE!  It was a great event! If you decide to do a 50 miler in AZ OP50 is a fun but difficult one. http://www.oldpueblo50.com/

 I have so much more to say about this race, and the adventures that went with it. Before I do all of that I want to say, in all seriousness, if you want to do anything that seems to difficult to do run a 50miler, do a triathlon, take up mountain biking.  Just do it, try.  The hardest part is putting yourself out there.  That is scary.  If I can do it, you can do it.  Remember, just a few years ago I had to run/walk in order to finish a 5k and now I finished my first 50 miler and I had a blast!!!

25 miles in

No run for me

I have my first really long race this weekend.  I know it is a taper week, but I thought I would get out and stretch my legs before work tonight. Instead, I have my feet up with a cat on my chest, a dog curled next to me and another cat curled up on a chair. It is so peaceful here with the sun streaming through the window that I can't bring myself to disturb everyone.
Looking through the blinds it looks like yesterday's wind has let up and it might be warming up finally.  A great day for a run, but a better day for snuggles it seems.

Cholla Chicks finished #Ragnards. Yes we rock!!

Last night at about 6:45pm Cholla Chicks finished their second all girl ultra!
Can I just say, we were amazing!!   The race was relatively stress free.  We did have issues, but man are these girls good at overcoming obstacles.  One team member cracked her head open 3 weeks ago, another raced on a foot with a stress fracture, 2 of them are mid iron man training and I have my first 50 mile ultra trail race next weekend.  We just don't let life get in the way of fun stuff. 

Cholla Chicks

 This is a really high energy bunch of girls!  We were either being crazy or sound asleep.  (you need to sleep to retain energy). 
This was a tough race.  Sleep deprivation aside, we had some issues to overcome.  Nerves and cold weather brought nausea and GI issues.  That is pretty much par for many races.  You never know what your body is going to do when it reacts to stress.  It was worth it though.  Amazing fun.  I smiled through ever leg of the race.  My first leg I busted out amazing PR's. I am not a fast runner usually, I have endurance, NOT speed. Competitiveness overcame me; I made every person who passed me really work for it!  In the end, only one guy passed me on that leg and he earned the right.  He blew past me without even breathing hard.  Nobody else could catch me.  Yay!!!  (That is a first!!)

MandiwithanI and I--that's me with the upside down headband

Chollas in the cholla

I should have taken pictures of all of the food I ate.  I am surprised I didn't get sick.  I ate bacon rice cakes, a bag of cookies, quinoa cakes, pickles, cashews, a sausage egg McMuffin, candy, beef jerky, peanut M&M's, moon pie, coffee,  2 sandwiches and other random stuff, all before my first leg of the race!!  I think I have an iron gut.
Can you imagine being in a van with 7 other people (we had 2 drivers)  for 35 hours and not fighting at all?  That was us!! Pure awesomeness. 

Our awesome ride!!  Thanks Kwazadilla!

Cholla Chick founders Amy, Mandi and Sue

We finished!!  Yay!!

Like I said! Awesome trip, awesome race, awesome volunteers, awesome support.  I couldn't have asked for better!!

Being a runner

In 2009 I decided to start running with a local running group.  I have never been a runner or really an athlete.  I grew up skinny, some say too skinny. I graduated high school at 101 lbs and that was only because a friend and I had a bet to see who could put on the most weight by graduation day. I know, I know many people say it isn't a big deal and they had the other problem; but I will say it sucks when people say you have an eating disorder or you don't get hired for a job because someone thinks you are too little to handle it.  Remember folks, everyones body is different.  Back to my point, I was active, but not an athlete. I was very clumsy.  I was good at falling and embarrassing myself, not being athletic. (Terry Johnston, you can tell stories all day I am sure.)
So here I am in my, cough, cough, 40's (early 40's...) and I decide to start running.  No big deal, right?  Haha.  I couldn't run a 5k (3. something miles) without stopping to walk.  I walked A LOT. I did it almost every week.  I wanted to be strong and fit. Not much happened. Guess what?  You have to run/walk more than 3 miles once a week....
Ok. So I decide I want to run 10 miles.  A challenge.  I had this friend and she signed up for a race, Iron Girl.  It sounded cool.  All girls 10 miles.  I can do this.  So I trained.  I ran 3 miles (5k) 3 times a week. I was able to run 5k without stopping to walk, but OMG I was exhausted!  How do people work out so much???  Those runners, they are lunatics!!  Anyway, I did this race, 10 miles.  I was hot and sweaty. I had my period and it sucked.  But it was fun.  Really fun!!  I was tired.  I ate a lot afterwards. I was exhausted and I napped. How do these "runners" manage?  It is so tiring to train and workout and race and go to work every day and make dinner etc, etc.  How do those people manage their lives?
After the race I was hooked.  I decided I could do it too.  I wanted to become a runner.  Now, HOW??
It is magical. A pill,  a secret.... Want to know what it is? Doing it.  That's it.  All you have to do is get out there. Once a week, twice or 3 times is better.  It will suck.  Sometimes it will suck tons.  Just go.  Find a friend.  Join an online group for accountability. Tell people what you are doing.
I have gone from not running a full 3 miles at once to easily running 10+ a day. 
You don't have to do that.  Do what you want. Find your goal, your rush. Walk, run, swim, bike, whatever you want to do. Whatever makes you feel good, alive and energized.
If I could do it I know anyone can.

My First Super Long Trail Run

This weekend was the test.  I have been training for my first 50 mile trail run. http://www.oldpueblo50.com/

This was my chance to test myself.  I had the opportunity to do a trail marathon "fun run" with a bunch of Ultra runners.  (I was allowed in!!  Yeah!!)  They even made sure I finished and someone even kept me company.  I made him tell me stories of his adventures all day while I huffed and puffed along...

Ok, let's start from the beginning:

I woke up at 5 and left my house at 5:45 to drive an hour to a trail head in the desert.  Spur Cross in Cave Creek, AZ.  It is beautiful desert out there.

I woke up and it was drizzling. Usually my wimp alert goes off.  This time I had to prove myself.  I drove out to the desert and parked my car, got out and met a bunch of new people. 

We started the run just after 7am. 26 miles of desert running, YAY!!  Usually, in our area this means loose rock with lots of climbing and descending.  This time it meant river crossings as well.  There were a few places with boards to cross the water.  There were several places where I actually had to GET IN THE WATER!! It was fantastic!!

The whole day was like that; water, mud, fog, rain, rocks, climbing and descending. It was truly a wonderful experience.  At the end of it all (8 hours later--I know, I know, I am not fast.) I proved to myself that I WILL be able to do a 50 miler.  I wasn't terribly sore.  I was tired and hungry, but I did it.

If I can do it, anyone can.  It is true. It takes time, patience and training but you can do it too.

I would love to hear your stories.  GO!

Robert promoting

Look at the FOG!!

Travis our aid station- he was great!

Me with my new friend Robert

Good Morning Camelback

Today I did one of my favorite road runs. 56th st and Camelback.  It is a few nice loops with a bit of climbing (2000 ft over 12 miles). The weather was nice 45 degrees.  That beats 20 degrees last week.
I love living in AZ.  I can't believe I survived MI the first 24 years of my life...sooo cold.

Hello from me!! 

Isn't it lovely?

Lately my friends who have run with me have run in shifts.  They are all training for marathons or triathlons and don't need quite the mileage, but they fit me in anyway.  I am so lucky to know such awesome people!  Thanks Mandi, Christy, Amy, Abby, Michelle, Sharon, Julie, Tyler, Erin, Jake, Ginger, Courtney, Lesley...am I forgetting anyone??

Bottom line, today was a great run with lot's of people to talk to along the way.  KISSES to you!

A Mountain

Got up and got it done today!  10.5 miles.  ( My goal is still to average 15 miles per run.)  Did some hills.  A Mountain.  I love this run.
http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=13299029
A nice flat run with climbing in the middle and back to flat.  A beauty. Today it was dark, but in the summer you get to watch the sun rise over Phoenix.  I love it.

Putting on the Miles

I only have a month and a half before my first 50 mile race. http://www.oldpueblo50.com/ I am excited and nervous.  Check out the vertical feet on this baby!
It is pretty much all I think about lately.  I am pretty sure people get sick of hearing me talk about it... oh well, it is a big part of my life right now so suck it up friends!!
Motivation is still difficult.  I am getting used to spending hours by myself just running.  (It is still easier with a buddy, but well, I have to get over that!! :)
I am part of the Altra Zero Drop Ambassador program.  Woot woot!!  I am legit.  Check out the link below.
 http://www.altrazerodrop.com/
It is pretty exciting!!
Now off to bed so I can get up and do a nice run tomorrow. Nice 12 miles, flat for 4 with hills in the middle and flat at the end.  YUM!

Motivation

Today is tough.  It is already 9am.  I should have run at least 12 miles, but it is cold and I am wimpy.  I do better in the summer.  I think I do at least.
So, it is almost the new year and with this new year I am looking for growth. 
Goals for 2013:
-Finish my first 50 miler
-Finish my second 50 miler ( I need to find one).
-Feel like an "ultrarunner"
-Find new direction in life.
In true Suebug fashion this blog will be all over the place, like me.
I will continue more later.

New things

Here we go again.   It has been a year since I've been on here.  Wow. 


Here we go!

 

 

 

We finished!

 Well, let's see...I did my first Ultra Marathon, the ET Midnight Moonlight 51K.  It was pretty cool.  I am pondering my first trail ultra.  If I do it it will be this weekend...I wanna, I wanna, I wanna.
 I have been having a blast with my new life.  I am working with XTERRA AZ, HUB Events and Sage Sports doing events.  Always looking for volunteers if you want to check out the scene.
 I DNF'd my first race ever, Fire on the Rim.  I rode the course the night before and didn't do it the next day.  My gears were sticky and I was tired.  Boo on that.  I had a great time though. I will be working this weekend at Cruiserman, next weekend for XTERRA and the following weekend the Prescott 6er.  That is a pretty full calender.
I have ramped up my miles. I am clumsy though. This is what happens with me and dirt.

Ouch!

 

 

Until next time!  Ciao.



AAAAAaarrgh, training on my own

It is so difficult to motivate myself to train alone.  My solution?  Having a bunch of training partners!  It isn't easy though.  I sometimes find myself alone and unmotivated.  I'd like to say I get up and go, unfortunately it isn't always the case.  Today, for example, I got up and dressed and everybody else slept in.  Ooops.  I spent the day in my running clothes doing chores.  Not bad actually.  I looked at my calendar and I had run the last 7 days, so I was due for a rest day anyway.
I got soooo much done!!!  That was great.  My legs feel awesome!  I can't wait for tomorrow.  I WILL run!!  No matter what!!!
That's all I have to say about that.  Do it.  It takes willpower.  I need to find it!!
See y'all tomorrow.

Training can suck sometimes

Training is exhausting.  It is physically and emotionally tiring.  It is supposed to be.  It pushes your limits beyond what you thought yourself capable of.  It makes you want to cry.  You will sometimes feel as though you can't go on, or you're not getting any better.  I have news; you are.  You are getting stronger, physically AND emotionally.  You are pushing your boundaries and discovering what you are made of.  If it were easy everybody would do it and it wouldn't be a big deal.

The unfortunate part of it is that while you are in the thick of it you feel as though you aren't getting anywhere.  It makes you want to cry harder.  Give yourself a chance.  Look back (a year, or at least 6 months)  to see what you've achieved.  Are you running further?  Are you cycling harder?  When you do a 5k run can you do it without walking?  How about that hike?  Are you not as exhausted after a workout? You know you are.  Think positively.  Talk to people you train with.  They know.  They've seen you struggle.  They've struggled themselves while you coached them.  We all go through it.  We all suffer.  We all feel like crap sometimes.  It's OK. Do it...have that pity party..but only for a bit.  Then stop!  Make a list of what your achievements have been.  Take a nap or maybe a day off.  You deserve it.   Cry if you need to.  Then get back on that horse and move.

Untitled by suespeidel at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by suespeidel at Garmin Connect - Details
Today's track work out was awesome! It was the very first one I have ever done. Paces were pretty good. Most importantly I now have a base for the future. I am pretty excited to go to Imogene now. I should do pretty well. I placed 58th in my division last year, so this year....who knows. http://www.imogenerun.com/results.asp?YEAR=2010&DIV=F4044
Maybe I can finish in under 4 hours?? That would be great! Gimme more hills M@##$%&*%$ F^%%$#^&!
Over the weekend I did my second long mountain bike ride/race. 63 miles in 6:49. I think that is pretty good for this rookie! Next time I will train.
The best part of the weekend was during the ride when I said, "look unicorns"; Ryan looked and fell over. Two white horses. Ha! Next time he'll think twice about kicking my ass!

Post Colorado, gearing up for races and ...

Hello there all!
It's been a week-ish.  I went to Durango and had a BLAST!  Brought Steve the dog for his first camping/hiking trip.  He was so well behaved and up for pretty much anything.  We went to Carver's Brewery for dinner and breakfast, delicious!  We also went to Steamworks where I had the Cajun Boil.  I had been craving this since the 4th of July weekend.  It was amazing!!  They also had this delicious beer,Ale Diablo it was a Golden Belgian brewed with Gewurztraminer grapes.  Holy Cow! it was good!!!!  They have one that they will be opening and serving for $1 tastes and $2 pulls August 5th.  It is another Golden Belgian brewed with tart cherries and champagne yeast.  Doesn't that sound SO amazing?  If anybody is up in Durango in 2 weekends I suggest stopping in for Fikkin Friday. 
So, the trip was a blast filled with fun times and delicious beers!  We went hiking, but just a few times, I took Steve on a 12 mile out and back hike on the Colorado Trail.  I met a gentleman who was hiking from Denver...430+ miles...Awesome!  Had delicious coffee, thanks Durango Joe's.  Great trip!
Now, I am going to have to figure out how to add pictures.
Today I am back with the girls.  We did a 7 mile run followed by coffee!  After the run, we had 2 joiners for coffee, Ginger and Terrin, they finished their mountain bike ride and joined the morning festivities. 
FUN FILLED MORNING!!

morning coffee and second morning coffee

Today has been awesome!!  It's only 11 am I have had a great day!  Got in a good morning run w Les and guest Adam, had coffee with them, started my chores and then I received a call from Ginger!!  Yay!  She wanted to come over and talk about her trip to do the Vineman.  I was super excited, so we had coffee, she brought over hard-boiled eggs and then I made a frittata.  YUM.  (You can never have too many eggs...screw  the cholesterol mythology)  Ginger even brought me a bottle of Big Red from Hop Kiln Winery.  Woot, Woot!
Anyway, what a great beginning to a day.  Now I get to do laundry, clean house, pack for my trip, oh, and look for a job.....  :)

Mind Over Fecal Matter

Got stuff to do?  Why not start your run at 4:30?  Last night this seemed like a good idea.  This morning, not so much.  After the run?  Absolutely!  First breakfast by 7 am and second breakfast by 9 am, what a brilliant idea! 
So, what do you talk about during those early hours?  Pooping of course!  As we ran the hills of Arcadia we spoke of how running has made it easier to go and what other things have helped us. The conversation helped the run go faster, and of course made us all need to go.  No coffee time after the run; today everyone went home to take care of business...
After the mornings business I was able to settle down to the business of  finding a job and blogging.

So started the day!

canal with trails M and L by suespeidel at Garmin Connect - Details

canal with trails M and L by suespeidel at Garmin Connect - Details

Today was a great run! Lesley, Mandi and I; not terribly fast, but a nice pace, especially considering the heat. Post run coffee was nice as always, although the summer is bringing the mosquitoes.

L and I introduced M to the TV series, Firefly, a cowboy space show. Awesome.

This AM run and coffee

I got up for my 5AM run @ 5:45. Ha! Good thing Mandi decided to sleep in too.  So, an easy 7 miles, didn't feel too great, but ok.  The coffee part was awesome, as always.  Coffee always makes the run worth it. Or maybe it's the camaraderie....
I just got the best news, my friend Amy PR'd her half marathon!!!  Congrats to Amy!  Take Bryce Canyon half by the balls!!!!!!