Deadman Trail running

Training is underway for Mr. Jesse Padberg. Is he doing another marathon? Perhaps a more challenging course? No, that would be too easy! Mr. Jesse Padberg seems to be on a mission to kill himself. Am I really that hard to live with?

On October 20th, 2012, Jess will attempt the "Deadman Peaks Trail Run", a 50+ mile ultramarathon on the Continental Divide Trail south of Cuba, NM. This is the description of the race from their site:

While the course does not have any huge climbs or extreme elevation ...

(LIARS! It takes place between 6,350 and 7,400 ft and has about 6,300 total feet of climb) 

 ...  it is not an easy course...
(LOL!)

 ... Take a look at the 61% finishing rate from 2010! It is very remote...
(oh great, just what you want when running extreme distances...by yourself...in the wilderness.)

...This portion of the CDT is rarely used.  The trail is extremely rocky.  There are several miles of slick rock...
(my favorite!)

...The climb and descent of Mesa Portales includes scrambling.  Much of the existing trail is very faint... 
(that translates to: 'easy to get lost')

...Runners need to be ready for a long day in the wilderness.   The weather in October is usually very cool and dry(high of 60F, low of 30F), but be prepared.  There is no shade on the course. It could also snow or rain.
(perfect! Just the place to run 50+ miles!)

One word to describe what I think of this race? HELL!

Having just come off my first marathon, I am shocked at anyone that would want to run MORE than 26.2 miles much less almost double that. I also find it interesting that when you start talking about ULTRAmarathons, they no longer feel it is important to tell you how many miles the course really is. This one I believe is about 53 miles (IF you don't get lost on their "faint trails"). Evidently they think 'hey crazy, if you are out here even thinking of running 50 miles, just run until we tell you to stop! It could be 50, it could be 53, it could be 59! HA HA HA!'

I believe this is how the Devil has fun.

Among marathon runners, the Elite group of Ultramarathoners, is small, exclusive and for many elusive. It is taking the unimaginable and adding awe, wonder and a little magic to the equation. How does someone push their body past the extreme of a marathon into the realm of an ultra? I have no idea, but I will keep you posted!

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!

www.VivacWinery.com

Getting High (Part 2 from "Sweet 16, are you ready to lose it?"

(PART 2...continued from "Sweet 16, are you ready to lose it?")

As tears welled in my eyes, we started down the hill. We were half way to a full 16 miles, farther than I have ever run, farther than I thought was ever possible! The truth is, I never wanted to be a runner, I was the one that would say "the only way to get me to run is if something is chasing me" and now, I am attempting 16 miles. If I can do this, maybe, just maybe, I will make it to my Napa Valley Marathon finish line.

At mile 13.1, Jesse congratulated me on passing my wall yet again (see blog "The Wall") and we strode on to mile 14, tears streaming down my cheeks; bouts of crying seem to be routine on my long runs. My legs were heavy and the pain was cursing through my quads. My feet thumped the ground shooting pain into my calf muscles. The end was in sight, I thought I might be able to will myself each and every last step through mile 15, when suddenly and quite by accident...I got high.

I have heard of getting high running, but had never experienced it. As a seasoned wine drinker, I know a thing or two about getting your buzz on but the "Runner's High" completely eluded me. What do you have to do, how far do you have to go to experience this magic people talk about? Evidently, I had to go 15 miles.

As I pushed on, I suddenly became clear headed. I stopped connecting to the pain in my body. As if on automatic pilot, my body took over and I realized I didn't have to will my body to do it, but trust my body to. I looked down at my legs, almost an out of body experience, and realized I had sped up! My breathing was steady and confidant, my body moved easily and I hit 16 miles strong... and then I lost it. I burst into tears, sobbing.

Was I proud of myself? Yes of course, but this was something else. It was as if I had reached so far into my core and each muscle fiber in order to accomplish this feat that I was now releasing emotions and stress that had been harbored in my body for who knows how long. Now, standing on the side of the road, it was purged out of me.

At home, I sat on my sofa...quite... still and without the normal battery of thoughts. The list of things to do, work that had to be done, was nonexistent. I felt utter peace. It became very clear, this is why people run long distances. I think I just found the Runner's High.

And so, with my sweet 16, I did lose it and not only was I okay, I felt I had really grown from the experience. I felt a sense of calm and decided as a full fledged woman now...a glass of Vivác Diavolo was appropriate.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!

www.VivacWinery.com

www.VivacWinery.com

The Wall

It is Monday and just getting out of bed feels like a marathon. Maybe I have hit "The Wall".

"The Wall" a term most people are familiar with even if they are NOT runners, is a term most runners fear. My fear around it comes with the complete melt down at my half marathon. The training was tough and haphazard due to injury, but I finished the race...then proceeded to be sicker than ever in my life. I decided that perhaps running is not good for my body. With time I began to train again, like a child, distraction had completely erased the details of the event (or my massive consumption of wine had killed those brain cells). This time as I approached the 12 miles and the cursed 13, my gall bladder gave out and I had to have surgery. Recovery took much longer than expected and once on my feet again, I found I was determined to train AGAIN. What can I say, my husband was/ is sneaking me crazy pills. As training picked up, I again faltered at 12 miles and the ugly 13 miler won. Jesse continued to train and ran another Marathon with Chris. It was obvious that "The Wall" for me was mile 13.

Friday, I ran 14 miles. As Jesse and I ran past mile 13, Jess said "look, there was no big brick wall there" and he is right, I ran past mile 13 without my legs disintegrating under me or my heart exploding in my chest.

I have tender feet and heavy exhausted legs. Monday morning means a new week and a looming 16 mile run. Today I somehow have to will myself onto the treadmill for a 7 miler. They say that "The Wall" is as much mental as it is physical, so what keeps you running when all you want to do is stop? What gets you out of bed on Monday morning when all you want to do is sleep?

I will ponder this while I put up my feet and have another cup of coffee...or...is it too early to have a glass of wine?

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!

www.VivacWinery.com