End of the World

December 21st 2012 is suppose to be the day the world ends. Why don't we make a pack to make our individual worlds end...whoa, not like that people. Think of a new world, one where instead of saying you are going to get into shape, you actually do it! A world where that bike on the side of the house rusting finally gets a tune up and a new tire and you actually ride it! Where you don't eat foods that are slowly giving you cancer. A world where you don't have to wait till 5:00pm to enjoy a glass of wine!

Why don't we dream a little bigger and end our personal worlds filled with judgement and self centered actions and replace them with true random acts of kindness (not just posting the ideas on your Facebook page). What if each of us, every single day, did something kind for another person for no reason, no benefit to ourselves, what would that collective world look like?

I plan to greet my new world on December 22nd without procrastination...OK less procrastination. I can see that will be difficult since I am already finding reasons why I won't be able to run on Dec 22nd. The bitter cold. I have to work that day. I'll probably be hung over. What? You can't expect me not to be drinking a fine wine as the world ends or not to drink a choice wine to celebrate the glory of a new world greeting me the next day! I never said this new world would have less wine in it, if it did, that my friends would truly be the end of days.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.vivacwinery.com

Running with Santa

As I spend more time running around trying to get the secret Santa shopping and wrapping done, I spend less and less time actually in my running shoes running!

With all this non athletic running, my mind is now running.

Most of us can agree, that this time of year is about loving, giving and appreciating what we have. That is unless you are a six-year-old. Then it is about Santa!

As parents of a six-year-old, it is about running! Running around like a crazy person trying to make a child still believe in Santa. I wonder why we do this? Is it for them or is it for us? Will the magic of Christmas really die with the belief in Santa? After all isn't this time of year about loving, giving and appreciating what we have?

What is it to believe? What is it to have faith? After all don't we believe in the idea that we really will start that diet or get back into shape? We keep believing that we will start running just not today but maybe tomorrow. We believe that we will stop eating all those Christmas cookies. So can't we keep a child believing in the magic without extra gifts and all the running around?

I plan to figure out the answers to all these questions… on my next run… which will start on the first of the new year of course!

Until then I will pop open a bottle of Vivác Cab and recheck my naughty and nice list.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family
www.vivacwinery.com

To Give and be Merry!

Tis the Season to give and be merry.  Evidently my husband misunderstood the concept of this and is now giving me a ton of poo and he seems quite merry about it!

Now as you all recall having read about Jesse's rigorous training through this blog, that I would be the one that trained and ran a race next. The only problem with this plan is that I have become incredibly lazy! As training for a Marathon forces your body into shape, sitting on the sofa forces it the other way. Trying to keep my running schedule now takes a monumental amount of mental work. I feel like a child trying to get out of going to school... "I can't today! I'm sick (fake cough a few times). I'm injured (fake limp for a few steps). I have a paper cut!"

Needless to say, I have needed a little prodding. Jess is a good prodder.

Our run on Friday revealed that I seem to have a new coach too. I'm not sure I like this guy either. While Jesse was ever the supporter coaching me through Marathon 1, this new side of him is full of torture and sick excitement. He cleverly waited till the last mile of our run, with me exhausted to the point I had stopped talking (takes a lot for me to stop talking), when he says "so what we are going to start doing is speed trials". He sounded absolutely delighted! He went on to outline my new training schedule, giving and giving and giving in true holiday spirit. His lack of recent running seems only to have catapulted him into a sadistic individual intent on my misery. How is he so happy and excited about this?

So, as I write to you, attempting to avoid the inevitable run looming in front of me today, I see that this holiday season will be kind to some of us and not to others...ooh ouch, I think I just paper cut myself on my keyboard!


-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.VivacWinery.com

Super Fuel

Well, I'd write about running, but I haven't been running...so... I won't. I'd write about working, but I'm writing to all of you to avoid working...so...I won't. I'd write about a new workout that you all should try, but I don't know of any.

Yep, currently the "Fueled by Vivác" is all about the fuel! The tryptophan has impregnated my veins requiring me to lay on the sofa only getting up to fetch more fuel. That turkey makes you thirsty right?

So this week, I simply say...when you can't run, Riesling. When you can't bike, Barbera. When you can't swim, Syrah and when you can't get up from the couch because your sauced...cheers us because that my friend, means you are truly "Fueled by Vivác"!

-Cheers from the Vivác Family
www.vivacwinery.com

Being Run Down

When training for a difficult race, be it a 5, or 10K,  half marathon or a full Marathon, it is inevitable to feel run down during the training. After the race there is let down and again the inevitable run down...many get ill as a result. Yet running is suppose to be good for you, you are supposedly building up your immune system. So where is the line?

Obviously it is personal, there isn't any set in stone guild. For me, my half marathon, quite literally, almost killed me. Running a full Marathon however was no problem, but Jess was run down and caught a terrible cold. Of course he then ran 53 miles and not only wasn't sore, he never got run down! He is obviously from another planet. Hmmm... I am now picturing that movie "The Astronaut's Wife"...I hope I don't have to zap Jesse with a toaster in a pool of water.

Back to subject...

So, then in turn how is it that work, stress and life in general can regularly run you down? It seems frustrating that if you don't run you can get run down, if you do run, THAT can run you down and if you live in Northern New Mexico, the cars most certainly will run you down.

I see no other choice than to stop doing all types of running, physical, mental, emotional and start drinking more wine. They say 2 glasses of wine a day keeps the Doctor away, so surely that is the cure to being run down. I might have to double that number just to be safe.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.vivacwinery.com

Going Cold Turkey

After a good long break from training, I have decided to jump back into things. Ironically it is as the weather changes and I find myself running in the bitter cold. My husband finds this amusing since I am notoriously cold...all the time.

I'm not sure why I choose to run in the cold. Perhaps it is that work has finally slowed down or that our son has settled back into school or that the fall leaves are layered across the road and the sky is a shade of blue that inspires painters. The crispness in the cool morning air seems to quicken my step and I feel alive. It really is a beautiful time of year to run. Even if both sets of cheeks are frozen.

Having run my 1st full Marathon this past spring, many would expect that I could jump right back in, sadly that is not the case. I almost had a heart attack running 3 miles. Now I'm wondering if the Taos Turkey Trot 5k is more appropriate for me right now than a half or full Marathon. For some reason, my diet over the last 6 months of bacon, cheese and a mass consumption of wine, has left me shockingly out of shape!

I think I need to ponder my new training goals now while I drink a bottle of our Refosco wine, it goes so nicely with cheese.

After all, I can't let my body go into shock.

-Cheers from the Vivác Winery Family!
www.VivacWinery.com

Deadman or Dead Man?

Hello to all you fellow running winos. Jesse here, I am writing the blog today instead of Michele to give my race report on the "Deadman Peaks Trail Run", my first Ultra marathon.

I walked outside the morning of the race, it was cool, not cold (maybe 40°F).  The perfect temp. for a start. David, my father-in-law, drove me to the starting line 8 miles from our B&B. On the way we saw a beautiful bull elk next to the road.., the day should go well. I had been nervous while driving into Cuba the evening before, but this morning I was ready. I got out of the car to go sign in and realized it was a full 10° colder at the valley floor starting line. Luckily, I had packed my running pants, hat and gloves. I could take them off at the first aid station 9 miles in.

This was my first headlamp race start. (Earlier this summer "Taos Marathon" started in the dark, but it quickly got light, it was on the road, and nobody needed headlamps). What an awesome way to start a race. I saw a friend of mine in the darkness,"Scott, what's up man? Kinda cold huh?" It was comforting having a friend out on the course. We started down the dirt road which lasted about 2 miles before turning to single track trail. It was really great to have that room so that most of the jockeying for position was done by the time we hit the trail. I ran with him for the first 3 or 4 miles, until I could no longer keep the pace, knowing I had another 50 miles or so to go. "Have a good race if I don't see you again." "Thanks man, you too." He said. I had made my first good decision of the race, I just need to keep my head in it.

I made my way to the top of the first ridge (mi. 6) by first light. There was a cliff to my left and the valley south of Cuba, NM spread out below in the early morning light. It was just gorgeous and I knew this would be the experience of a lifetime. No regrets. The steepest section of the course was just ahead. A 1.5 mile scramble strait down the side of the cliff. This part wasn't too runnable, though I noticed that those ahead of me seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it. I hooked up with Artem, from L.A., he was walking this section which seemed a bit safe, but definitely a good idea, I would hang with him. Don't beat yourself up too early, my second good decision. From the base of the cliff it was an easy mile or so to the first aid station (mi 9).

We rolled into the aid station and immediately they took my camel-back and asked if I wanted water or Heed. "Half and Half, thanks." Then they handed me my drop-bag and I took off my hat, gloves, long pants, and headlamp. I emptied my shoes of a few pebbles and put them back on. Did I forget anything? No?...OK here we go again. I shouted out "Number 48 out.," this was something I had seen a couple more experienced runners do. The entire aid station thing in this ultra blew my mind. The volunteers were so helpful, I never once had to fill my own camel-back. The tables were full of various goodies; chips, crackers, pretzels, cookies, pb&j, coke, hammer gels, sometimes even beer. They were also rigorously keeping track of each runner. We checked into and out of each aid station, and they talked with other aid stations via walkie-talkie, to  make sure no runners went missing in the boonies. This was comforting because we only crossed 1 dirt road on the entire course.

From there we went through 2 more aid stations and over several more mountains before crossing the Deadman Peaks and down to the turnaround at mile 26.5. The trail was rigorous; alternating between solid rock and sandy arroyos, always with lots of rocks, and plenty of really steep, short pitches. The landscape was incredible; a cross between Painted Desert Arizona and N.M. pine forest, with a splash of Moab, Utah. I ran most of this section solo, in my own zone, listening to my science shows on the ipod and loving every minute of it. I started counting the runners as they passed me on their way back. "Holy cow, I am in 9th place!?!"

I got to the turnaround feeling awesome, maybe the best I had felt all day. There awaiting me was my whole family, my parents, my parents-in-law, my brother and his kid, my wife and my boy. I was so grateful to see them all. I sat down and Michele helped me change my shoes and socks. Angela held an umbrella over me for shade, which felt great. My mom ran to get me snacks from the table. "One marathon down, just one more to go..." I hung out with them maybe 10 minutes and then "Number 48 out." and I hit the trail.

The next 10 miles flew by. With 17 miles to go I noticed that I was starting to feel all the miles in my legs, but I still felt great. I ran into Scott again at an aid station, he wasn't feeling so hot, and was a bit down about it. We talked briefly and then I hit the trail again.

At 14 miles to go I felt a shooting pain in my left knee, it was my illiotibial band, which I hadn't felt in years, but I knew exactly what it was. This made running downhill quite painful and eventually made it impossible. Within a couple miles I tripped several times stubbing 3 toes on my right foot, which also caused a ton of pain. My head wanted me to stop, but I never let myself consider the notion. The pain came and went. I tried to cherish the occasional new view and the way everything looked different with the afternoon light on it.

I got to the final aid station, "you're almost there," a volunteer told me. "only 9 miles to go...". This time, for the first time all day, I wanted to sit down for a bit longer. Several runners came into the aid station as I sat there, making me hurry up. I thought I was in 7th and I really wanted to hold on to my place. The scramble up the cliff was a difficult one and 2 runners were catching me quickly. I kept at it, working hard. Shortly after reaching the top they caught and passed me, chatting with each other as they went by. It didn't seem like they were in as much pain as I was, and they were definitely in better shape. After they passed me I felt like my 9th place was fairly safe if I just kept a decent pace, this was hard to do because the next 4 miles were a steady downhill, and downhill hurt the worst. I slipped down into my own little pain cave with my favorite podcast "Hardcore History with Dan Carlin," and tried my best not to dwell on anything. Before I knew it I was on the dirt road where the journey had started. I didn't recognize a thing, it had been dark before. I turned around and there he was behind me, about a quarter mile back, the runner who could kick me back to 10th. I dug deep, opened my stride, and ran my fastest mile in the last 45.

Crossing the finish line I felt great and started to cry, then I hugged Michele for a while, and cried again. Honestly at this time I felt really good, and it got even better as I sat there drinking some Marble beer, some Vivác Chardonnay...and some Vivác Dolcetto and reminisced with other runners. I felt great about my time, I felt proud of my accomplishment, I left everything out there on the trail. I don't yet know how many more of these I will do in my life, but if the answer is zero, I am glad I did it at least once and glad that Deadman Peaks is the one I did. As it turned out I got 8th out of 53 starters (14 of which wouldn't make it the full distance), with a time of 10:48:08. What an amazing day.

Thank you to everyone that made this possible for me, I love you all.

-Cheers from the Vivác Family!

www.vivacwinery.com