UltraShannon - What's New

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Check out my "Photo Gallery" page, there are a few pictures from a little book that I put together after completing my 292 mile Death Valley run (the Badwater double) in 2001. They are at the bottom of the "photo gallery" page.

Moeben Sleeves

The Moeben website is up and running! If you'd like to purchase Moeben UV Sleeves today, please contact me for wholesale or for retail go to www.zombierunner.com www.roadrunnersports.com www.runningwarehouse.com

Moeben eco friendly "Jet Line" made of hemp or bamboo fabric is available at several running stores throughout the U.S. and boutiques including Emphatic in Fred Segal in Santa Monica, CA or Kitson in Beverly Hills, CA.

Moeben UV and ECO are available in stores throughout the U.S.

Latest News:

September 28, 2009

Ok, so here I am almost 3 months after my incredible Badwater 135 mile race and my 4th Badwater finish, and not to forget my Badwater PR! As always, it was an awesome adventure and I was also there to test new Moeben products in the 129 degree heat, and 135 mile race. Moeben pulled through for me and now we offer a full line of fun and fashionable running and all sports wear.

Some more exciting news...Moeben will appear again on TV's hit show, "The Biggest Loser" with not only the Moeben Arm Sleeve, but also our pants, shorts, shirts and more...

Life is good, just been busy with my 3 sons, and Moeben. My September 100 mile race was canceled due to the fires on the course, and how sad it is to see what was once the beautiful Angeles Crest mountains, now burned.

July 10, 2009

I will be running the

135 mile Badwater race on July 13th!

June 30, 2009

Western States 100 (for me 62) mile run

Just got back from the Western States 100 mile endurance run, where Moeben launched its eco friendly hemp shirts. Each runner received a shirt in their goody bag and they were quite the hit! I, was also a competitor this year, but the day didn't go as planned...The day before the race at the pre race medical check, I weighed in 10 pounds lighter than my normal weight and my preferred 100 mile starting weight. Everyone kept commenting on how fit I looked, but I had to explain it was hard Moeben work, and not good fitness training that contributed to the "skinny" me...I was planning to just run easy since I will be running the Badwater 135 mile race 2 weeks after. I was fine until mile 29 when my body decided not to take in any more food, but I thought I could get by on liquids and tried to ingest my calories through sports drinks that I had in my drop bags. My body also decided to stop peeing and this is what really hurt my race. I continued on with GU and coke as my fuel...By the time I got to mile 48, I was up 8 pounds, at mile 55, I was up 9 pounds and was taken by the medical team to have my blood pressure and was asked a few questions by medical. They wanted me to sit and try to pee, but I couldn't, and then encouraged me to drop from the race, so I asked if I could just get to the next aid station and I would see if my body would kick in for me. They had me sign a release "potential renal failure" and that I was responsible for myself. I signed it and Mari, my pacer and I were off to the next aid station 7 miles away. All I wanted to do was pee! But I couldn't and started feeling wrong about what I had just signed, even though I felt my body wasn't at risk, those words "renal failure" were scary to me, having had a bad situation in another 100 mile race in 2005. We got to mile 62 and now I was up 10 pounds...We decided that was all my body was going to give that day and the race was over for me...My feet are pretty blistered, but my body feels good, ankles are still cankles, but my body will be ready for Badwater and I can't wait!

February 9, 2009

I finished the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile run in just over 27 hours! I had a rough time from mile 80 to the finish with blisters and a tweaked ankle, but I hung in there, and came home with another 100 mile finisher's buckle! Next year at Rocky I will be going for my 500 mile jacket, as it will be my 5th time running the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race. For now, I must get my mind set for Western States 100, Badwater 135, a 100 mile solo run for The Chase Foundation and Angeles Crest 100 mile all this summer....I will post pictures soon. I wore all Moeben gear for the race, and it was the best!!!

December 29, 2008

I've received several emails asking about updates on my web site...well, I have to be honest and tell you that this Moeben biz has taken over my life and unfortunately my web site comes after time with my family, kids, philanthropy, Moeben, running and all the other things that I enjoy in life, and yes I do love posting to my site, but it's finding the time that's difficult these days...I do promise that I will keep you posted more in the New Year as I have now delegated Moeben duties to others and will have time to keep the site updated. On that note and speaking of my running life, Maria Lemus (Jorge Pacheco's wife) and I will be running (along with a nice field of runners) the Rocky raccoon 100 mile run on February 7th. Maria and I meet most every Saturday, well the past few Saturdays we've met to run and not that I can say that we are getting in tough 40 mile training runs, but I can say we are running strong and most important, having fun! I've been bringing my marathon group that I coach to run with us, and all I can say is that I am impressed on how well they are running on the technical and mountainous trails that we take them on. Ok, well gotta go, my baby needs me and then back to Moeben, gotta work, but I will post pics and a story on the race and all the other great news!!!

September 23, 2008

I'm off to run the Rio Del Lago 100 mile run!

I know that I promised to post pictures from this past year or so of the few races that I've ran, friends that ran races, including Moeben Team Ultra Runner Jorge Pacheco's incredible Badwater run, where he now has the second fastest time and was this year's champion, and all the news and updates, but now I will have the "100 mile finish" motivation to post pictures of my first 100 mile finish after Jet's birth, 16 months ago...so I PROMISE, I will post a ton of pictures when I return next week. I like to think positive and although I know this Saturday my body will hurt a little more than it should, and feel fatigued as I run 100 miles, with little, if any training, but I know I can do it, if I just stay focused and positive and think of the children at The Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, and the Chase Foundation. Raising money, bringing awareness, volunteering, and running for this wonderful charity will be the biggest motivation to my finish. I love seeing the children play, read, have art therapy in the Chase Place rooms and I wish I could be there with the children everyday. You can learn a lot from children who are living with life threatening diseases, and that overcome obstacles everyday of their lives. So many people ask me how can I do it, how can I see kids that are sick and fighting. What I've learned from all my years being involved with many charities, is that I don't know how I could ever not be a part of their lives. The strength they give, the love and stories they share are so special from these children. I look forward to every hospital visit and although sometimes I leave there asking "why", there is something more powerful that brings me back, and it's knowing that we can make a difference. If you would like to learn more about The Chase Foundation or make a donation to the Chase Foundation, you can go to their website at www.thechasefoundation.org.

So back to my 100 mile race this weekend... Since I am still nursing I will bring my baby Jet and will have to nurse him every four hours. It will be tough during the night when I run, and I know I will miss him more than I could imagine. Hopefully missing my baby and not holding him in my arms all night as I've done since he was born, will make me run faster, just so that I can see him sooner. My friends, Jorge Pacheco, his wife Mari and the Western States 100 race director Greg will be pacing and crewing me and I couldn't ask for a better team to have with me. Last October, I attempted to run the Javaline 100 mile run in Arizona, but I was nursing Jet more frequently as he was only 6 months old and the salt pills that I take during my long runs, didn't agree with him, so I couldn't take them or any salts, and this hurt me during my run. This time, I will just plan on eating more salty foods and drinking more electrolytes than normal. I feel really excited and right now I just wish that I was at mile 80 and I was feeling fresh, well as fresh as you can feel at mile 80, and that it was just a good day for me, running and enjoying the day, and I know a sub 24 hour finish would be asking a lot, but that would be nice too!!!

On the Moeben side of my life, things are going great. Moeben is now adding a dickey to cover the neck, chest and shoulder, but we are calling this the Moeben Jetty and we are doing many fun colors and prints. Moeben is now doing a leg sleeve and also a running skirt and hat...Both myself and Moeben Team runners try out any and all Moeben designs before they even go into production and on anybody else's body! I believe if a Moeben item can make it through a 100 mile race in the toughest extremes, then it will for sure work for any and everyone in the everyday world. All that needs to be done after the Moeben item has been tested through the ultra world, is to throw a little fashion into it, and that is the recipe behind Moeben!

August 2008

I'm Back!!!

Ok so it's been a while since I updated my site, and I can only contribute this long delay to having a new baby, starting a new business, raising two teenagers, my philanthropy work and getting back into ultras. I'm so thankful for my love of running. I know my life could be hectic if I didn't have the running to calm my nerves and make me feel complete. I never knew what it was like to have my own business, and I've learned a lot in the 1 year of Moeben. It's been quite the ride, and I'm enjoying every minute, whether gratifying or challenging! Having a 1 year old when you are 47 years old, is quite amusing, let me tell you. Most of my new "mommy n me" friends are 20 years younger than me, but I know I can run further than them, so that makes me happy!!! I'm working a lot and just trying to spend as much time with my 18 year old son before he heads off to USC. My son who is a sophomore in high school, is also playing water polo club and I believe we might see him at the next Olympics! I feel blessed that I still have 17 more years of homework, sports, PTA meetings, kissing boo boos, and all the love and fun stuff with my baby and raising a child.

This past weekend I ran the Bulldog 50k with my neighbor and friend Diana Alon. I paced Diana to her first 50k finish and it will be one of my most memorable times pacing a friend. Diana is one of the toughest runners that I know and I guarantee we will see her in the 100 mile results real soon. Her family was at almost every aid station supporting her with her kids running up to her with such pride in their mommy. I think she needs a web site and we'll call it ultradiana.com. Diana just started running this year with my LA Marathon group and ran her first marathon just this past March. I love to see the marathon runners that I train step into the ultra world, it makes me feel like I'm doing something right with my coaching while showing them the love for the trails.

In case you haven't heard, my good friend and Moeben Team Runner Jorge Pacheco won the 2008 Badwater 135 mile Death Valley race. For the entire 135 miles, Jorge wore the Moeben eco friendly bamboo sleeves instead of the UV Moeben, and had no problems with the sun or heat and kept his arms protected and comfortable, as Moeben eco has a natural UV of about 24 and are anti microbial, and have a natural wicking and just so lush on the skin. I have to admit that Jorge's Badwater run was the ultra excitement for me this year. Western States 100 mile run was cancelled due to the fires, so that was quite disappointing for so many of us and so sad to see the fires attack those beautiful mountains. I was looking forward to my favorite 100 mile race, but will be there at the Western States 100 mile starting line in June 2009. I'm getting ready to run a 100 miler on September 27th, and I just need to step away from Moeben for a few hours a day and get some training in. I will add a few pictures from these past few months and promise to keep current. I'll be back within a few days with more stories and pictures!

October 29, 2007

If you were following JJ100 you will see that I had to drop. Actually, they encouraged me not to continue on, or I should say they came out and picked me up on the fire road after they heard by a medic on a bike, that I wasn't doing good. Today, I am happy for their smart decision. I (the ultra runner in me) felt that this moment (actually hours) was just a lull and I would pull out of it...I thought I could go on, but they were pretty adamant on me being done.

As you know, I have to, want to, love to, bring Jet (his food supply is attached to my body) with me everywhere, and since I am nursing I have to eliminate certain foods like garlic, spicy foods, tuna, and for running, the Succeed (electrolyte pills), Vivarin (keeps me up for the night time running) and excess amounts of Advil (for the lovely pain we endure in a 100 mile race) that I would normally take in a 100 mile run, so with this, and the fact that JJ100 was over 100 degrees in the heat, I suffered. I knew that I couldn't take Advil, but the pain I could deal with, I mean it's only temporary...but the electrolytes I couldn't do without and as you could imagine running 100 miles is a science. With the heat and distance and by the time I knew I was in trouble, it was too late. Andy Jone's Wilkins (2nd place finisher) wife gave me 2 Succeed pills after I nursed Jet at the second loop (mile 30) since everyone felt by the time I nursed him again (15 miles 3-4 hours) and the time in between, and with the water intake and sweating, the majority of the Succeed should be out of my system. My crew also gave me soup, Pedialyte, etc, but by the time I started shoving this down my throat I was already behind the 8 ball. I continued on and at the mile 35 aid station, I tried to eat peanut butter with a ton of salt on it, I knew I was in trouble, I could feel my body not giving me anything, but I continued anyway, and it took me 2 hours to the 5 mile aid station. Yes, it's a little climb, but my first loop took me 3 hours 7 minutes for 15 miles, and that's what I was expecting to do for at least the first two loops, while it was cool and then I would take it easy in the heat of the day, and hope to feel good at night. I had to also take into consideration the down time for nursing each loop, about 20 minutes...Anyway, my legs cramped and locked, I had to walk the down hills, and I started with chills, this in the 100 plus heat. I guess I was dehydrated and electrolyte depleted, plus I couldn't go pee....A medic was on a bike and saw me out there with my Moeben Sleeves on (thank god I had those, I was cold) and shivering and called down to the aid station, where they came up on the fire road to pick me up, this was to my surprise. I asked if I could just get to the next aid station and get some soup, and that I could go on after I put some salts in my body, but he said they already called the Rescue crew to come check me out. I think they were really concerned, and I would have wanted to go on, but in the long run it was a good thing that my day was over, well for the mommy life of mine, but for having a nice 100 mile run to gleam with for a while, I guess things didn't work out as planned. The problem was also that I couldn't urinate at all since 10:10 Saturday am, and I DNF'd at 5:30, and still didn't go tinkle till 8:00 Sunday morning, that was 22 hours of not going pee... I guess it was good that I didn't continue. So I returned home earlier than expected to host a pizza party for my son's senior water polo team and I feel happy to have my 40 mile training run and to be home safe with my boys...Jorge ran a smart race, and won! He's quite the champion. After I had my solar blanket on and once the medical team let me go, I joined others who were crewing runners and we would watch everyone come in to their loop. We all had a blast, watching the runners come in, the pacers get ready, the crew do their job and the kids having fun playing while mom or dad were running. No one was happier abut my DNF, than my little Jet, he gave me the biggest hugs and kisses...

October 22, 2007

I'm off to run 100 miles this Saturday!

I'm so excited, and a bit nervous...I will post pictures and a story when I return on Monday. Jet will come with me and I will see him 6x during the 100 miles, at the start of every loop (15 miles) and will be able to nurse him...I've never nursed my children during a 100 mile race, so this ought to be fun!!!

August 2007

I'm back training, and getting ready for a 100 mile run in October. I do miss my 100 mile races!!!

It's been challenging to start back running following my bed rest last February and taking care of my little baby. As some of you might know, or could imagine what it takes to train and run 100 mile races, and more important, be a good mommy. This consists of making time to train and giving my baby 100% of me! It's that "balance in life" that we learn about...I watched my 2 teens grow up in a minute, and now at 46 years old, I can truly appreciate the joys of motherhood and want to be with my children every second that I can!

July 2007

MOEBEN SLEEVES ARE HERE!

On June 23rd, Moeben Sleeves were launched at the Western States 100 mile endurance run. They were a hit with runners and spectators as well! The sleeves have gone into production and I'm currently working on the moeben.com site. You can purchase the Moeben UV protected arm sleeve at our favorite online running source www.zombierunner.com as well as several other running stores nationwide. Moeben Sleeves come in 6 delicious colors and 4 wild prints to choose from. They are made with a UV treated fabric and have a pocket for your gel, tunes, key, etc...You can pull them up, push them down, wipe your nose, fill them with ice, just have fun, the many uses are endless! On July 23rd, Moeben sleeves will help keep the heat off of competitors at the Badwater 135 mile run...Then were off to San Francisco for the marathon and half marathon! You don't have to be a runner to enjoy the sleeves, they were made for ALL outdoor enthusiasts!

June 2007

During the past months, and my so called "strict bed rest" that I was put on in late February, my c-section and now loving my newborn son, my running has taken a screeching halt. So, I've worked on getting my many other projects completed, including my Freedom trophy buckles, and my UV protected Moeben arm sleeves, as well as my books and film. I will fill you in on these other projects soon, but for now, you can go to www.moeben.com and check out the Moeben UV sleeves that are made to help protect you from the sun, along with the many other outdoor hazards, i.e. wind, cold, rain, nasty bush, bugs, and they look great on! Moeben sleeves are made for the outdoor enthusiast, like you and I! So whether you run, play golf, tennis, soccer, snowboard, skate board, you name it, garden, ride horses, hike, any time spent outdoors, these sleeves are there for you! Send me an email if you'd like to try out a pair...

I'm so excited to be a new mom again, and even though at 46 years old, and going from cribs to looking at colleges, I still feel young and healthy! I owe this to my running, taking care of my body and most important...attitude! I will also need to continue with the (MS) tests that I put on hold because of my pregnancy and will keep you updated. Thank you to all for your concerns, emails and thoughts.

May 2007

My 3 boys, ages 17, 14 and 2 days old!

Hey don't laugh, I bet your mom gave you baths in the sink!			My first run since February's "bed rest"

April 29, 2007

These pictures were taken 15 hours before my baby was born!

	Tomorrow, my family will grow!

April 2007

Mari, Jorge and I went out to train on the Badwater course. Both Jorge and I will be running this coming July. Jorge is considered a favorite, and me, it will be my 4th finish at Badwater, can't wait!

Just think last year I was running this course, now look!	This is my favorite ultra runner Jorge Pacheco, training for his first attempt at Badwater...	I love this picture of Mari by the sand dunes
	March 2007

Wow, another great year at LA Marathon! I'm proud to say that everyone who I've trained in my Hidden Hills Trail Runners group, finished! It's funny to see my runners from my previous groups who at mile 18 or 20 as we ran LA, told me "I will never do this again" and as they looked at me as, if looks could kill, and now they've just completed another marathon, returning each year. My 16 year old son Moe, ran his first marathon, with minimal training, which consisted of one 10 mile run and a few 3 milers here and there, since his December 30k. I misunderstood his training and believed that he had been running a bit more with his friend Jason, but I guess his high school swim meets were consuming his time. To see my son run 26.2 miles as I crewed him, was another incredible highlight in my life! I was also training to run LA with my son and my group, and to maintain (and start to build) my base in my legs for Western States 100 in June and Badwater 135 mile in July, but was put on bed rest in February until after my baby is born. It was great to go watch my group run LA Marathon, and for me to witness their success at the marathon after watching their commitment, dedication, and newfound passion, and being part of their training these past few months is such an incredible feeling for me, as I'm sure it is for them! I have been on bed rest, so this is why I haven't been so good on updating my site lately, but after my baby is born, I will be back on track. I will be starting a "Hidden Hills Trail Runners ~ Mommy 'n me" this August, which will allow new moms to get an early start on our marathon training which starts in October each year. All that is needed for the "mommy 'n me" training group, is a baby (up to 5 years of age), a good pair of running shoes, and a jogging stroller. If you are interested in participating here in Hidden Hills, or by phone or internet, please contact me. Stay healthy, enjoy life and I will keep you updated on my running and my life as a 46 year old new mom! I'm looking at cribs and colleges these days, what a trip! I will post pictures of the marathon next week.

Some challenging news this year, but I am ready to take on anything!

In the spring of this year, I was told by two doctors that I could possibly have MS. I had some pain in my legs and loss of strength in my right arm at the end of the 2005 year and thought it could possibly be due to all of my running back to back 100 mile races, and perhaps I had some nerve damage. After several MRI's, a lumbar puncture, SSEP, VER, nerve tests, and a few others, the doctors diagnosed me with "probable" MS. I asked the UCLA specialist who I saw, as I looked him in the eyes, "in your heart, what do you think", and he replied, "I feel that you have MS". I asked him three times that day, and he gave me the same answer, and elaborated with each answer, each time. I wanted to call him from my car, from home, the next few days to ask the same question, as I couldn't believe this. I needed more tests and was scheduled for August to see if there were more brain lesions and the location, since I had more in the four month period between my 2 MRI's. I ran Badwater after the news and even PR'd, and then conceived less than a couple weeks after running Badwater. I was one of the three where medical research was taken at Badwater, and it showed that I am very healthy and the 135 mile run put no stress on my body, so I don't know what to think. I was scheduled and ready for more tests in August after my Tahiti vacation, but came home pregnant so they were put on hold. Life can take you to some challenging places, and I feel that my ultra running has given me strength to fight and conquer anything! I'm just recently sharing this news, because in April after my baby is born, I will continue with my testing. I will keep you posted and I thank everyone who's heard the news, for sending me good thoughts and information.

February 3, 2007

February 11, 2007

Taking my marathon group for a little Angeles Crest training!

January 13, 2007

Avalon 50 mile run

December 2006

December 11, 2006

I spent the day at Children's Hospital and the Chase Foundation. The children have more courage and strength than I will ever have, and to be able to be a part of their life, is a gift that I will always cherish!

It breaks my heart to see such young children on machines to feed them and keep them alive. This is one reason why I run to raise money and bring awareness to the Chase Foundation, so that their lives can be a happier place, and knowing that they are loved!

If you would like to make a donation to

The Chase Foundation,

please contact me.

December 9, 2006

Me, 5 months pregnant training my Hidden Hills Trail Runners group in the Santa Monica Mountains.	Mari came out to run with us after her incredible year of back to back 100's!	Davide who started training with Hidden Hills Trail Runners in hope of a marathon PR. He ended up shaving off over 20 minutes!	Elaine who was one of my strongest runners this year, awesome on the hills!

Jorge - to me, and I know to many, he is the best ultra runner ever! I'm so lucky to be his crew in many of his races. It just validates that he is not human when you witness him run any distance from 26 miles to 100 and to be able to perform the way he does, is fascinating!	Kathleen started training with my group this year, and was strong and steady in her training and took this into her first marathon, where she ran an impressive time and looked fresh the entire 26 miles!	Ta Mara has turned into quite the runner, with many marathons and ultras! She will be taking the jump into the 100 mile distance real soon!!!

December 3, 2006

Ridgecrest 30k & 50k

Here we are at the Ridgecrest 30k and 50k. This was Moe's, my 16 year old son, his first 30k trail race, and Jason's 2nd 50k. Both are high school water polo players and my son, an MVP polo player and CIF swimmer, but I won't brag! TaMara ran her 2nd 50k, and for Mari and Jorge, the 50k was a little training run!	My son and I at mile 15, where he decided to leave me in the dust, once I told him he was just a couple miles from the finish line.	Moe takes off to his first 30k finish! Coming home 1st place age group!!!	Jorge came in 2nd place overall in the 50k, less then a minute behind 1st place. Me and my little baby Moe.

Moe, Me (showing off my pregnant belly) and Mari who came in 8th woman overall in the 50k, she's quite the champion this year with all of her races, including three 100 milers and Badwater, and placing top 10 in all!	TaMara shaved off 40 minutes of her Bulldog 50k time finishing looking strong and gorgeous as ever!	Moe, TaMara and Jason, the boys show off their awards!

December 2, 2006

The Western States 100 mile Lottery, Auburn, CA

If you receive this white envelope in the mail, you've won the lottery...the Western States 100 mile endurance run lottery run, that is! I will be there June 2007! My baby will be 2 months old in June, and at his first 100 mile event!

WESTERN STATES 100

What an incredible event to be part of, from the lottery to receiving the finishers trophy buckle~ Western States is the most incredibly well organized running event ever! The scenery is too die for and the pride in running and finishing this particular race, is felt forever!

October 21, 2006

The San Diego 100 mile run. Where I went to crew Mari.

Karl Metzler kicks ass to beat his own course record at the San Diego 100 mile run!		Josh Brimhall took 2nd!	Mari running strong even after just finishing Angeles Crest 100 three weeks prior and Badwater 135 in July! Mari came in 2nd overall women at the San Diego 100!

Mari crossing the road and back into the mountains.	People ask if our 100 mile runs, are flat, paved or...a million questions, and to answer your question... Most, if not all 100 mile trail runs are on technical, mountainous trails with thousands of feet of climbing, and if we're lucky we get triple degree temps, canyon climbs, cross rivers and to run through the snow!

October 17, 2006

My 2007 LA Marathon group! They are tough cookies, and love to take on all the challenges in running with the Hidden Hills trail runners group! Due to my pregnancy this year, I had to limit my amount of runners to physically coach, but also coaching via phone and will be available starting in October for the 2008 LA Marathon!

My group that I just love to train with! They can pack some awesome snacks, and this is good when you are pregnant!	They run the hills like mountain goats! Here we are on our 10 mile loop.	And of course, we all love a downhill!	Marla, training for her first marathon! She has quite the pace and endurance and I know she'll do great at LA Marathon and I'm sure the 2007 marathon won't be her first and last, but just the beginning!

Elaine, training for her first marathon, and our future ultra runner, watch out for her!	Kathleen who's been waiting for a year to train with my group and now she's here and running steady and so strong, I know this time next year, she'll have a few marathons medals to show!!	No... I am not a drill sergeant with my group, they just happen to run so perfectly "in sync".	Showing off my belly and so happy to be pregnant with my 3rd boy! I can still run shorter distant races, and train my marathon group so I really couldn't ask for much more!!!

October, 2006

I'm pregnant!

It's been a while since I've updated my site, only because I've been busy with completing my book and other projects, plus I haven't been running any exciting races since Badwater... that's a tough act to follow... and the only news that I have to share is that I'm pregnant! This was quite the surprise and unplanned, considering I have a 16 and 13 year old, and I'm 45! I am still running, training my 2007 LA Marathon group, and training myself and a few from my group for a 50k in December and a 50 mile run in January. My doctor feels since I conceived just days after running 135 miles in Death Valley, that it would probably be worse to quit running, so even though I'm considered high risk, he gave me the go ahead to continue my running, which makes me happy. I can keep the base in my legs and will only do shorter distances, the longest will be my 50 mile run. I plan to get back to my 100's summer of 2007 with Western States and Badwater. I will post pictures soon of my new marathon group, our training, races where I will be crewing friends, and some of my belly! Have fun running...People ask who my fertility specialist is, and I'm assuming they're taking my age and perhaps my running into how I conceived. Well, my fertility specialist is Mr. Bora Bora, and it happened there!

CHECK OUT MY JULY 2006 and further down the page, my 2005 BADWATER 135 MILE
RACE PICTURES BELOW...

SCROLL DOWN TO JULY, and you will see my "hot" race of the year!

August, 2006

After finishing my 135 mile Death Valley Run, I had to give my body a special treat. Bora Bora it was! We stayed a the St. Regis, and my feet couldn't have thanked me more for allowing them to soak in the beautiful ocean and white sand beach. More pictures on my "Photo Gallery" page.

My 13 year old son had this fantasy of being a famous photographer, traveling to exotic places and shooting beautiful women. I told him to practice on his old mom.		Bathing suit #1 I've had this suit for over 15 years. I had it made in Hawaii...

July 28, 2006

A Badwater PR...

I had a great race!

Blisters from the start made it difficult, but I was so captivated by the desert, my crew and my attempt for my 3rd Badwater finish, that I persevered to a successful finish. I finished at 5:34 Wednesday morning and took off over and hour from last year's time. 45 hours 34 minutes, and maybe 5 minutes sleep total. My crew wouldn't let me sleep and now that I'm not relying on them, all I have to say is "they were mean'! Just kidding, they were so amazing to me and because of them I PR'd... I thank all of you who supported me in my fundraising goals...

My race was incredible. My crew was more than perfect. I wish it were tomorrow. I guess I'll have to wait for next year!

My crew and I, Mari and her crew the day before our Badwater journey!	The traditional photo in front of the Badwater sign	The anxiety is starting to settle in	Media up the ying yang!

I was one of the four who they were doing medical research on this year	Keeping my urine throughout the race, was part of the research. My crew loved this!	This is it - Team Ultra Shannon - my crew was, and is, PERFECT!

Many of the other crew were complaining that my crew were too distracting, gee I wonder what they meant! They are hot!!!	oh yeah, here I go again, and "why am I here for the 3rd time"? I wanted to cry, I was so scared of this race	Mari and I comforting each other. I wanted her to have her best race	I love Mari, this was a dream for her...

Blowing a kiss to my crew as I'm about to run 135 miles	The start!	What a feeling!	The hardest part is the start of anything, the journey is the best and the finish...is not the finish, it's the beginning!

Just a long highway to find out who you are...and what you're made of!	Mari was running smart from the start...	I wish I was there - right now!	Maybe not!!!

Stephanie was the first to pace me, and she was such good company. We laughed so much together, and it made the time fly by. She was so amazing to have with me on my team, I can't tell her enough how much it meant to have her with me.	Rob is getting a feel of the world of ultras, and now I think he's questioning his desires to go beyond the 26.2 miles. He should if you ask me, he's a very talented and gifted runner, he was a great pacer for me...	Mari just running smart, she knew what to do here...	To run with Scott Jurek in any race, is a dream. My pacer and recruit from my marathon group TaMara, was such a wonderful surprise on her being on my team, she was strong from crew to pacer, she's hired!

Rob was great with making sure I had enough calories and keeping me moving	Steph saw that I was starting to over heat, and knew how to resolve this as it can take you out of the race...	Look at Mari go, and hey that's my pacer Jorge behind her...	Lisa and TaMara keeping me cool. Lisa was so fun and really knew the race. She's ran it and understood all my moods, and there were plenty!

I was having blister problems really soon into the race. At mile 42, I needed a full foot make over with popping and taping. Mari needed her legs rubbed.	Mile50 This is my new best friend, I think his name is Thurston, hmmm, anyway he was so fun to run with. His crew gave me coke when I threw up - I know how to scare them away, that's for sure!	Check out the hot babes on hwy 190... Owwww!	Sometimes I think I'm Superwoman - I was living out my fantasy!

I prefer to pop my own blisters - thank you...	uuuhhhhhh LAST CALL!	The back side of Superwoman	Blisters again, this was my 4th stop the first night to take care of them.. They were starting to get in the way of my run!.

I love that stretch running down Towne's Pass into Panamint Springs - mile 72	Lisa get your cute little ass up, you are crewing a "high maintenance" runner! I can believe I'm saying this, but I miss her so much and all my crew...	Tia and TaMara waiting for me as I approach my second climb. Playing the harmonica and checking digital shots, is this as good as it gets or what?	Me, just going up the second mountain pass, approaching mile 80

Tia look she's loving this!!! Tia, she was incredible. She is also a past Badwater finisher and knows how to run this race. She was the intellect out there and everything was so planned out - I love that!	oh yes, blisters again, but now I have John (the foot and blister guru) taping them and the LA Times taking pictures.	They were laughing at my urine, - that's not nice!	Thunderstorms hit around mile 100, it was pretty awesome! We were chasing the clouds and only got sprinkles.

Steph was so good to me out there. When she wasn't making me laugh she was making me feel good with her massages.	Mile 105 Rob came back after a first day of pacing and nausea. Now he was ready to run and what a runner he is!	Steph, Shannon and Tia	Here comes Deb. She surprised me at mile 115 and ran a bit with me. She was comforting to see

Mari had finished her race and came down to see me as I was climbing the portals, just 7 miles behind her.	My crew and I at mile 134...please put me back there, or at least can I have this feeling more than once a year...	Mile 135 10th female! look who's holding the banner - it's Jorge - my hero!!!	45 hours34 minutes and 44 seconds. I just came home with another sub 48 hour finishers buckle!

Is it over? bummer...	This is it - the group that just ran Badwater!	Mari and I were so happy for each other	The medical research team took blood before the start, twice during the race and now at the finish. They took my urine throughout and placed sweat patches on me. I had gained 1 pound at mile 80 and lost 1 pound at the finish...why can't all my races be like this?

yes we are bragging! our sub 48 hour finisher buckles - you have 60 hours to complete the race...	Just a bunch of hot chics after a Badwater journey - that's all!	got foot fetish!	Deb and I at the awards dinner, and I'm just loving my feet, they make me proud!

back at home in my guest wing where my crew had stayed a couple days after the race. check out that hot belt and buckle!	popping blisters, ouch!	My feet 2 days after the race	we decided to camp out in my backyard. It was great, the moon gave us a nice night light and the stars reminded me of Badwater and the beautiful nights.

It's Saturday July 22nd and I'm off to run Badwater, known to be the "world's toughest foot race", and I have to agree, that it is!

You can follow the live web cast starting Monday, July 24th. www.badwater.com

I'm in the 8:00am start and my race bib is #18. Send happy thoughts my way as I run 135 miles through Death Valley. This will be my 3rd finish at Badwater, and I hope to beat my time last year. My crew will push me to my goal, and I know that I could not do this without them...If you follow the race with the updates and pictures, you will be able to see how brutal this race is!

It's not too late to make a donation for one of my charities, you can read more on my "charity" page. Thank you for all your support.

Meet my "HOT" 2006 Badwater Team:

Shannon Farar-Griefer - runner

The following are my incredible pacers and crew!

Who from my team will be at the Badwater start line next year?

Stephanie Ehret

Since 1996, I have run over 40 ultramarathons from 28 to 710 miles. They include 50 km, 50 mile and 100 mile events, 24 hour runs, team and multi-day races. I have raced on rugged mountains trails, road and track. I have won 4 ultras outright (male and female), placed first female in 18, and set 8 course records. I have rarely placed below 3rd female in a race longer than 50 km. My top performances include:

IUA 24 Hour World Challenge 2004 - Bronze medal, 140.16 miles, ranking 3rd on the all-time list for American women (behind only Sue Ellen Trapp and Ann Trason)
Javelina Jundred 2003 - 1st overall (men and women) in 17H:38
Kokopelli Trail 140 mile adventure run - With Peter Bakwin, set fastest known time (32H:47)
Trailwalker Hong Kong 100 km 2002 - member of 1st place women's team, 6th overall of 600 finishing teams
La Transe Gaule (race across France) 2002, 710 miles, 18 days - 2nd female
Western States 100 mile 2000 - 3rd female in 21H:45
Leadville Trail 100 mile 1999 - 2nd female in 22H:17

Tia Bodington

Tia competed in the first California state meet in which girls were allowed to participate and road-raced 5K's and 10K's until she discovered a talent for trails by winning the Death Valley Trail Marathon in 2001. She consistently places in the top ten, also winning the Headlands 50K (women's), Mile High 50-Mile (1st overall) and Heartland 100 Mile (women's). Tia joins Shannon as an official finisher of the grueling Badwater Ultramarathon. In 2005, Tia ran her first Leadville 100 in 26:54, good for 8th place among the women. Tia is also the race director of the Miwok 100K, one of the nation's largest and most prestigious ultras under 100-miles. When she's not training or working, her time is happily taken up by two teenage daughters, a dog and a cat, and growing herbs for sale at the local farmers' markets.

Lisa Henson

Lisa has been running for 15 years. She started her long distance running career about 9 years ago. Since then she has run more than 40 ultra marathons including Western States 100, and placed in the top 10 females at Vermont 100 and Badwater 135 in 2003. Lisa lives in the Sonoma wine country with her husband John and their dog BOB.

Rob Kania

I am an aspiring ultramarathoner who has completed 5 marathons with a 2:29 PR at the 1994 Twin Cities Marathon. After earning All-State honors in cross country and track & field during high school, I attended Brown University where I competed in cross country, indoor and outdoor track with a long-distance specialty. I was a member of the 1992 and 1993 All-Star Ivy League teams which competed in the prestigious Japan Inter-University Ekiden Championships in Osaka, Japan. Upon graduation, I trained and lived in Boulder/Denver for four years and ran for the Runner’s Roost Racing Team. I currently reside in Las Vegas with my wife and two young children.

Mark Jacob

An avid mountain bike enthusiast for 25 years - I jumped into the

Ultra Marathon's two years ago, shortly after running my first marathon with Shannon's group.

Starting with two 50 K events I was

then drafted by Shannon (my coach and Ultra guru)

to pace her at the 2005 AC 100. I was hooked after that and entered

and finished two 100 mile events, one being a "sub 24 hour finish" and then two 50 mile races.

I hope to add a 2006 AC 100 finish to my bio later this summer.

TaMara Aarin

Bio will be added soon. Just a bit of info...TaMara started training with my marathon group in the fall of 2005 in preparation for her first marathon the following March. Since then she has competed 4 marathons in impressive times.

July 1, 2006

I went to crew Anne in the World Championship Ride 'n Tie. I was so fascinated to see all the runners and riders take off like this!	The first runner(s) and horse come in!	Anne comes in and is now waiting for her horse and rider to see how they placed...	A horse was having trouble with the heat. It was a scary and sad sight. The vets were incredible.

I couldn't leave the horse and wanted to take him home with me so I could take care of him...since he wasn't my horse I just stayed there and held his IV's for a couple hours...	Anne and her partner Pat (rider/runner) and Willy (horse) ended up placing top 10! Anne is quite the champion in everything she does. Remember her, she won Badwater the year I ran the double!!! Check out the buckle, that's nice!!!!

June 29, 2006

Western States this year, was not my race, nor was it my favorite pacer, and running idol Jorge Pacheco's race...We both went in feeling positive and excited about the race, but unfortunately Jorge and I dropped out along with half of the field. It was a tough DNF because of my Grand Slam goals, and I needed to finish each of the 4 races in order to achieve my 2006 goal. Western States was the first of the 4. Vermont is in 2 weeks, but I just got my results back from my x-ray and won't be doing the Vermont race either. I will just have to focus on doing Badwater and having a good run there. I know my ankle won't be fully recovered by the start of Badwater, but I will still pursue the race since there are really no technical trails to injure my ankle anymore that I did at Western. I will ice, rest, elevate and physical therapy to make it heal as quickly as possible. I have a cortisone shot on Monday, and I fight with this, but I feel this will make my 135 mile race through Death Valley in the 130 degree heat much more doable...Following is my story that I sent to those who inquired about my race last weekend. Pictures will be posted in a couple days. I'm getting excited about Badwater, and still feeling the pain of a Western States DNF...so much work trying to find time to train in a mom's world, the huge commitment, and being away from my family, and my animals, and just my other life...and I came home with a sprained ankle, swollen and black and blue, and no "finishers buckle"...Yes this is one reason why we do it...I so proudly own a Western States buckle, but I wanted another, oh well, next year!

I'm back home recovering from a tough DNF. My Energizer sponsor came out to watch me run 100 miles and was waiting to pace me the last 3 miles, but I got injured at mile 13 and didn't end up dropping until mile 48, due to the pain and being smart, I guess. I don't want to jeopardize Badwater, so I quit before I did more damage. Here's my story with pics to follow, which are actually the only thing making me happy today about my race (:

If you were following the live web cast, you'll see that I dropped out at mile 48...I'm a little disappointed, but there was nothing I could do. I felt so good all week prior to the race, doing everything right i.e., resting, hydrating and eating like a pig! The day before the race at the pre-race meeting, the runners were warned about the high heat temps (105-110 in the canyons) along with the first 20 plus miles of the race and the snow, along with the few last minute course changes, but I was prepared for anything...The race started and I knew to take it easy in the beginning to let my body warm up. When I finally had a stretch of dirt to run on and no snow to slide on, I wanted to hammer this downhill into Red Star Ridge (mile 16)...I felt so good, the snow, the air, the trees, were beautiful and my mind and body were in such a great place. As I was running down this awesome technical stretch, I landed wrong and tweaked my ankle so bad that it cracked instead of the normal rubbery feeling I (we) get when we do an ankle tweak. Usually you recover from this, as you know, by walking it out and getting back into a nice easy run. Anyway, it stopped my in my tracks and immediately I felt pain in it. Another runner (Gillian Robinson) behind me told me I should walk it out for a mile...I walked into the aid station, saw that it was really swollen on the outside of my ankle, but then I continued on. It hurt to put pressure on it, and I started with the Advil. After a few miles, I felt blisters coming, I'm sure from compensating. I was struggling with what to do. I thought maybe it will just feel better with time, it never did, but hurt more and I had to walk every downhill where I love to run and hammer these stretches. I wanted to drop at each aid station, but thought I'll just take Advil and it will go away. There were so many drops on the board at Robinson aid station (mile 29) that it was very hard to leave the aid station. Most of the runners were having problems with the heat, there were helicopters flying all around and you knew they were picking up runners. When I got to Last Chance aid station (mile 43), I should have dropped, but I wanted to see how I would feel after Devil's Thumb (a brutal switch back climb to the top), which was a bad choice. I dropped there with my bloody blistered feet and taking 16 Advil throughout the day. I knew my most favorite part of this course, which is once I get into Foresthill (mile 62) and I could get in some really good running, but knew I couldn't with my ankle since I was walking every downhill up to this point. I'm bummed, but it was a good 48 mile training run in the heat. I believe I would of had a good day as I was planning on since I was going really easy with the cut offs the first half, understanding the days heat could ruin me if I went too fast (plus I've been heat training and felt great in the 100 plus degree canyons), and then when night time came, and my pacer Anne and cooler temps were with me, I could take advantage, but I never made it that far.

I have an x-ray today, and I'll most likely get into physical therapy. I'm still on for Badwater, it's Vermont 100 in less than 3 weeks that I'll reconsider, since now I'm out of the Grand Slam ): I'll see what the doctor says after the x-ray. My ankle still hurts today, a little black and blue and swollen, but I think I'll be ok in a few days...

Jorge was having a struggle in his legs, but kept on going. He was running a smart race, but his legs wouldn't give him anything. He decided to call it a day at mile 55, and will shoot for a good run at AC in September. We know he's a champion and we understand that in this sport you can do everything right and then just have a bad day...He is still and will always be my hero!

I love 26.2 mile marathons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I tell you that??? Definitely because I have my group to run with...I won't let this injury discourage me, it's part of the game to get injured or anything can happen in a 100 mile race...Especially in these conditions...


Two days before the race and the climb up to the Escarpment, just for fun!	Mari, Jorge, Me and Gloria, the day before the race...feeling the excitement...	The pre race medical check	Gordy thinks he died and went to heaven! In case you don't know Gordy...because of him, we have the 100 mile ultra marathons to run!

Race morning and I was feeling great!	That first brutal climb up to the Escarpment.	If your race doesn't start in the snow, how fun would it be?	I love that Cougar Rock and my body was feeling better than ever...
At this point I had already twisted my ankle, this happened running down into Red Star Ridge not even 15 miles into the race, but wanted to see if I could just hang in there...	I was trying to make the best of the day. I had done everything right with resting, hydrating, calorie intake, the days before the race, and the heat wasn't bothering me nor was the snow, but my ankle was swollen and the down hills became a painful walk.	The medical team wrapped my ankle, told me that I should drop, this was miles ago, but I had to see if there might be a change since the rest of me wanted to go on.	Runners were exhausted from the heat and this was going up Devil's Thumb, many runners were feeling this heat miles before. I knew I had to call it a day so I wouldn't end up with a stress fracture...

My pacer Anne was waiting for me to run the last 38 miles and bring me to the finish while my sponsor Energizer and Carrie were excited to witness the event! It didn't happen...	I ended up dropping out at mile 49 and wanted to go the finish line so I could cheer on the front runners...	Brian was coming in as the first runner, but it wasn't a good sight. He had collapsed several times on the track getting to this point and was later DQ'd for his pacer picking him up.	After seeing Brian and my heart breaking for him, my swollen and sprained foot with my bloody blistered feet, didn't really hurt anymore...what hurts is a DNF! Blisters and sprains are temporary pain, DNF's you live with forever, injury or not!
	.	..

June 21, 2006

I'm off to run the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run!

Follow me on the live web cast starting Saturday, June 24th at 5:00 am www.ws100.com

I'm race bib#45...I have Anne Langstaff pacing me from mile 62 to mile 97 where Carrie will run the last 3 miles with me! This year they are expecting record breaking heat, good training for Badwater! I can't wait to run the first part of the snow covered course with numerous water crossings, just to get into those hot canyons and then crossing the American River at mile 78...once I get there, and I feel good, it's in the bank, on 22 miles to go...I hope to get to the river between 2 and 3 on Sunday morning...I'm really excited and will post pictures shortly after I return.

May 27, 2006

Western States Training Camp with Shannon, Mari, Jorge, Deb, Gloria

and 200 plus other runners, training on the Western States course!

The morning before our 30 mile training run	First thing everyone has to do after the 45 minute bus ride!	Mari and I waiting to run	Jorge and I wanting to run!

This should be Jorge and Mari's 2006 Christmas Card.	Nothing like a cold snowy start...	Mari and I still seeking some hot weather for our Badwater training!	Finally out of the snow and into the rain.

Love those down hills!	Gloria, Lisa, Mari and I...Gloria and Lisa are 2 of our crew for Badwater this year!	Just one small stream crossing...	Helping out another runner...

Day 2 and getting ready for the 20 mile run from Foresthill hill (mile 62 on the course) to the American River! Shown here (l-r) Ashley, who just won the PCT 50, and 3rd overall, me, the carpool mom, Michelle who won the OC100k overall! Mari who will kick ass at Badwater this year, and Deb running her first 100 in July and Gloria who we are recruiting from the road to the trails...Watch out for her!	Gloria and I. Gloria's never ran further than a 26.2 mile marathon, her best time is 3:17...Poor girl felt it during the last few miles during the 30 mile run, and felt it even more in the 20 mile back to back. She hung in there, she's one tough cookie!	Mari, Gloria and I getting ready for a little climb.	Oh yeah, bring on the downhill!

Jorge and Eric were doing an out and back for more mileage. Mari and I met up with them on the way back.	Finally we reach the American River, and who do we see? Catra! Love that girl!!	Just playing and letting the freezing cold water soothe the muscles.	Sorry no wet T-shirt contest today...

May 21, 2006

My 45th B-day!

OUCH!!!!

		No More birthday lunches or dinners...please!

May 2006

My son getting last minute tips from Kevin (a junior who is our goalie for water polo and a top swimmer) so that they can win the relay in the finals...will they make it to CIF?	They won! CIF here we come !!!	My son was so nervous. But he pulled it off and made his team, and his mommy proud!	The boys watching and waiting to see how the other teams do...they ended placing 11th in CIF. WOW!

oh yeah, my son the sophomore...hmmm where does it go from here?	J Just our little training run the Angeles Crest mountains...getting ready for Western States!	My horse Miles, who needs his adjustments, he too is in training for endurance.	My little baby Ben...what did I do to deserve this beautiful child...not only is he incredibly gorgeous, but he has a heart of gold and an old soul... ladies - stay away!

May 6, 2006

Mi Wok 100k!

I had a nice run in the most incredible area of Northern California. Jorge, Mari and I flew into Oakland and drove to the Sausilito area, we were stayed Friday and Saturday night. Our 62 mile run was Saturday with a 5:40 am start, and at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you could imagine the foggy sunrise with the string of lights on the bridge to the south, and the dark green mountains that we were approaching, it was an incredible place to be. I felt very pleased to run 30 miles with no pain, and then it hit me...the heel felt like a hammer was pounding it which each step, but I knew since I had my "brand spanking new" orthotics which I just picked up on Thursday, that I needed to give this a try to see what and where hurts and if it goes elsewhere, as in my past couple races, the pain would start in my heel and make its way up my leg which would pull me out of the race. During my race and at mile 30, I had to be patient so I could self diagnose my injury or at least explain to the podiatrist in my next appt, the situation. I continued on, captivated by the stretches of tall blades of grass that we would run through, that would meet with the bluffs overlooking the waves braking down below, it was hard to leave this to go home and pout about a little pain. The race had a turnaround at mile 35 and I thought, "I only had a 26 mile marathon", plus 1 mile to go and I knew since it was an out and back I was going to see the scenery that kept me going in the first place, plus I started to smell the barn door! The pain never left the heel, so I thought I'll just run on the ball of my foot when the heel would hurt too much. This gave me blisters on my toes and foot, but something about those tall blades of grass to run through and the sunset with the ocean breeze...it was hard to quit. I caught up to a few friends and ran with them a bit, then I felt good and they didn't, the wanted to walk, so I continued on by myself, and was looking forward to my flashlight and a warm shirt at my mile 49 drop bag...When I arrived my drop bag wasn't there. The day was turning into early evening, and became cold and breezy, but I continued on, but now in search of a finishers medal and a phone call to my family that I finished my least favorite distance, 62 miles. I approached mile 55 nearing dusk and dinner time for the wildlife after leaving stretches of rocky single track trails, trying to avoid reading the mountain lion and rattle snakes signs posted along the way. I couldn't wait to see the highway with some sort of civilization...Yet I knew I still had 7 more miles to go, and was alone...did I want to wait for my friends who I had left behind or try to catch up with whoever in front...As I ran from the mountainous trails to cross the highway to go back into the mountains, I had planned to make it quick and fill up my water bottle at the aid station. As I crossed the highway, a familiar face was staring at me...It was Jorge, he had finished the race, a couple hours prior and came back to run the last 7 miles with me. I was beyond feeling safe and happy to see his face, plus I felt good, so if he wanted to push me, I was up for the task. The sun set, the night was cold, my feet were blistered, but my legs felt great, I had my favorite pacer and I only wished that I was running a 100 miler, since I felt so good. We had a climb up to the top of the mountain at mile 59 and there were stretches were we could run, but this was saved for the mile downhill to the finish. I finished just over 15 hours, and the feet were and still are blistered, the legs felt great and still do, and the day was perfect...I'm ready to take on my 6 - 100 mile races this year!

I really don't like this distance, 62 miles I mean where's the glory, no buckle with a 100 miler, and no speed work with a 50 miler, it's kind of in between and nothing to write home about...

so I thought!

Well, I've learned to love this distance. It was fun, and when I was able to run with several runners throughout the race, it made the time fly by!

Jorge finished and then came to pace me from mile 55 to the finish. I was happy to see his face, since I had no flashlight and I was cold. My legs felt so good, I told Jorge at mile 60 as we were on our last climb, "I wish this was a 100 miler, because my body feels so good!!!"

I ran several miles with Rajeev, he was so funny...he made me laugh. He was running his first 100k, his longest distance ever and he had his pacers pick him up at mile 42, we ran together for a while. It was a great day and now I love the 100k distance, because I just think only 38 more miles and it's a 100!

April 3, 2006

The day was fun, rain and mud...	I cancelled my monthly mud treatment at the spa, I had it here...	The finish line with the World's Greatest Race Director, Greg and my buddy Mari, what a great 50 mile training run.

Well, Mari and I ran another fun run. Here we are trying to get in some Badwater training, so a little heat would be nice. Our last few races or training runs have been cold, wet, snow, hale, wind, and muddy. We just came back from the American River 50 mile run this past Saturday, where we thought it was going to be an easy, fast 50 mile run, you know a place where we can stretch out the legs a bit. We had another little wake up call. The first 27 miles are on a flat bike path (boring) but a good training run for Badwater...why you ask? Because when it's flat, and you could see miles ahead of people running, similar to Badwater where you look ahead and you see miles and miles and miles of just a straight road with runners and crew vans, it makes sense that the American River course is good training, heat would have been nice. At Badwater you seek for that turn in the highway, a tree, any exciting landmark, but all you get is this long straight Death Valley road. Hey, but we chose to be there...Anyway, Mari was going to run the first 26 in 4:30 and me 5:00, this way I could run the last 24 of nice trails, dirt and little climbs in 5 and change, hoping to beat my best 50 mile time of 10:14. Mari's best 50 mile time is 8:36, she too was hoping for a PR. She arrived at the mile 27 aid station at 4:40 and me 4:45. I ran the first 5.9 miles (the first aid station) in just over 8 minute miles, and continued with this pace, until around mile 15 when I realized I'm running a 50 miler, and I better pace myself for this. I thought once I got off the pavement and onto the trails, I would be more comfortable since the dirt is my type of terrain. I was so relieved to see trails, and dirt, but so much of the dirt was under the water and mud... a little hiccup as I would call it. I continued on and threw away my 10 hour goal, but instead tried to get through mud, streams, and finding my shoes that would get stuck in the mud.

It turned into a mud run, but it was fun! The aid stations were wonderful, the runners, a lot of first timers, were excited, and in for a surprise with the fact that you can't double your marathon time when running ultras...I love when I would hear the (first timer) runners who run a 4 hour marathon and expect to run a 8 hour 50...it usually doesn't work that way, or even better, those who ran a 10 hour 50 think they'll run a 20-21 hour 100 mile run...Trail running is a little different than that. Well, unless you're Jorge Pacheco, Scott Jurrek or Ann Trason. You never know what to expect on the trails. I knew at this point, around mile 35, that now my new goal is to do a sub 11, forget the 50 mile PR. So I kept running and felt so good to be out on the trails focusing on my big year ahead. Attitude has a lot to do with being successful in ultras, and I realized at this point, I better just enjoy the 50 miles, this is just a training run and I love being here. Around mile 40, I felt as if something was pinching the arch of my right foot, not my "soon to be injury free left foot", but now my right. I was running with Suzi Lister, who has ran this race in under 8 hours, and was pacing her friend, a 2:54 marathoner. I asked her what plantar felt like as I explained to her what was going on, she said that I probably had a rock in my sock. I sat down and took off my shoe, and there was mud that went through my socks and my feet were covered with mud, and it was nasty! I felt for the rock, but it was imbedded in my sock, so I tried to run without a sock and then felt friction. So I put the sock back on after I rinsed it in a creek, and repetitively in my thoughts I heard "I'm not in Hidden Hills anymore" just like Dorothy said about Kansas in the Wizard of Oz...I continued on, but now I'm thinking about Mari and if she finished in 8 plus hours, she has to wait for me and it was a cold and rainy throughout the day. I wanted to hurry to get to the finish, and this little rock was annoying me. I sat down again, this was probably the 10th time I sat and tried to find the rock, but couldn't so I got up and looked down to see what I was sitting in, and it was poison oak. Ok to have poison oak on your legs is one thing, but I sat in it...hmmm, so now I'm just sitting here waiting to scratch. I've been lucky so far with poison oak, but with my luck this year, I'm sure the poison oak will finally get me the time that I had to sit in it, and that has to hurt. I finally got to mile 48 after the nice climbs, the mountain lion signs throughout the course, the mules and horses I saw training for Tevis, (they too were having a tough day in the mud) just enjoying the day and beautiful trails, and had 2 more miles up this road to the finish, my legs wanted to run, but my foot wanted to be done. I saw this figure in a blue shirt at mile 49 as I was running around the corner, and heard Mari yelling for me. When I got to her at mile 49 she had already finished and was waiting for me. I asked her what was her time, and she told me 10:40, her slowest ever. I asked here what was her favorite part of the race, and she replied "the finish". I realized, Mari too had a tough day, but we just laughed and were happy to have 50 miles on our legs". I was approaching 11 hours and 40 minutes, so she had waited an hour for me. We both laughed as we talked about our last few races, and Greg the race director came on his bike to also bring me into the finish. We both said to Greg "you told us this was an easy 50", he laughed...Mari and I agreed that if you want to run an easy 50 mile run, go to Avalon 50, where we both have our 50 mile PR...Or go to JFK, where most people are either first timers or this is where you will get a 50 mile PR. American River, not the place to PR, but a great challenging course, incredible aid stations, and beautiful trails. It's fun to go run a road marathon and then you have 24 miles of trails, all in a day. All in All, I loved the race, very well organized, and just fun! Mari and I knew it was a training run anyway, and all our races leading up to the big one (big ones for me, all 6), will be training runs and the more time on your feet is better and a smarter way to train if you want to run 100's or Badwater, which is the goal for me! I will post dirty, muddy pictures this week...If you plan to run your first 50, do an easy one, Avalon or JFK, I wouldn't say American River is one of the easier ones, and I've done quite a few! My coach told me to look at my overall goals and focus on that. This year will be the 2 Slams, and Badwater, so at this point running a slow 50, where I will recover faster, and being out there longer on my feet, being able to work out problems, i.e. stomach problems, blisters, rocks, and all the good stuff you will definitely encounter in a 100 mile run, it's better to be on your feet longer in the 50's to work it all out for the 100's, and this is how I have to look at my 50 mile runs...just a training run!

Check out Jorge Pacheco on the cover of Ultra Running Magazine this month and his profile...he is one hot tamale!!! I shot the photo for the cover of the magazine and had the opportunity to crew him as he ran and won the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile run!

March 25, 2006


Deb and I back on Bulldog training. Deb will be running her first 100 mile run in Vermont on July 15th. I'll be there as well, it'll be my second of the 6 - 100 mile runs that I'll be running this summer.

March 16 -19, 2006

The days leading up to the LA Marathon, and the day of....

This was our last run, 3 days before the marathon...no more hill repeats, no long runs, no pee peeing on the trails,...how sad!	That evening we had our monthly pow-wow dinner. Jackie gave out nice gifts, we talked about our marathon goals, and had a delicious meal, it was a great evening.		Shown here 2 days before the big day at the LA Marathon Expo and the Under Armour booth, my wonderful sponsor! My group can shop, let me tell you, the expo never banked so much than this this year!

We had to walk a couple miles to the start...the traffic was so bad... RUN~BE~CAUSE (get it, run (yeah)...be (yourself) cause, as in, for a cause) that's us! Hidden Hills Trail Runners or as the press calls us the "not so Desperate Housewives" you've got that right!	Here are my little ducks in order...I love them so much, I feel like a mother of 20 plus...This is my dream... in 5 years, I'll have hundreds, thousands, running LA Marathon, just watch! Check out my past ducklings (Stine, Colleen, etc) ...they're back for their 3rd time running LA marathon! Don't tell em, but they're addicted!	Wow, this is my group, a few are missing, but how cool is this to have all these people now running marathons! Just checking out the spectators...	Deb who took my 4:30-5:00 hour finisher group, Me and Jason, my 16 year old from the group running his first marathon! He finished in just over 4 hours...oh, just for the record, he ran a 50k (31 miles) this past December, he placed 1st in his age group...he's one tough boy... let me clear my throat...one tough man!

Just strolling along...	I told my group, every time we see a camera...LOOK GOOD!	check out the hot mamas running the marathon...	Mary, me and Linda, we ran 26.2 miles together, it was a bonding 6 hours, and the best ever!

We take pride in what we do! And that's running marathons!!!!Laurie ran a sub 5, her first marathon...	We had our celebration dinner at the Cantina, where I gave each from my group a sterling silver belt buckle that I designed, and they wrote a song for me - if this is as good as it gets...I'll take it!	Got LA Marathon finishers medal?	Jackie and (part of) her beautiful family at our celebration dinner, she ran a great race...yeah, she raises a family of 3, and runs marathons...hmmm, gee what can I do, you might ask??? Kerry's in the back, talking about her 4:21 finish time!

March 20, 2006

Yeah!!!!! Everyone from my group who trained diligently for the past few months, finished LA Marathon! My 100% (coaching) success finisher rate still stands! We received great press from Los Angeles Daily News, on March 15th and a follow up story in today's paper. They referred to us as the "not so desperate housewives", that's for sure! Also in today's paper, you can find my running tips in the U section or go to www.dailynews.com and in their health section, look for "starting a running program in your 40's". If you are interested in starting a running program with a 5k or marathon goal in mind, this article is for you!

I will post pictures from the marathon and our celebration dinner later that evening where awards were given, songs were sung from my group in front of a live audience at the Cantina, and stories were shared! My group wrote a song, "We love Shannon", it was the best moment ever...These memories will always be cherished. I thank Mari and Deb for helping me get my runners through the marathon. It's tough with a group and different time goals, but everyone finished beyond their expectations...Jason who is 16 years old, ran a 4:15 his first marathon, he ran a 50k this past December, so he knew the drill. Kerry ran a 4:28, taking off almost 2 hours of her previous times when she walked. Jackie ran a 4:45, taking off 15 minutes from Last year, Lisa ran a 4:36 taking off over 30 minutes from last year, and Tamara, ran a 4:55, her first time, Laurie, ran a 4:55, her first time, wow..., Sharon a 5:45, her first time, Anthony ran a 6:01, his first time, Linda a 6:25, her first time, and Mary a 6:26, I proudly came in with Mary making sure everyone finished. I ran mostly with Mary as I promised her I would, but also spent time with my buddies who 3 years ago ran their first marathon with my group, and Colleen, Stine, Lisanne, and first timer, Gilena, finished seconds before Mary and I...There were more incredible runners in the group and I will post times with pictures. Now it's time to start my training for the Grand Slam, the Western Slam and Badwater. I have less than 100 days until my first 100 mile run. This weekend I start my long runs with Mari and Jorge, and now I get my butt kicked!!!

March 18, 2006

Ok fans...the group and I went to register at the Expo for the LA Marathon...I should get a kick back with the group I brought, wow, can they spend money!!! Anyway, they're ready to run on Sunday, March 19th...they are going to do so great and I'll post pictures next week. We raised a lot of money for our charity, The Chase Foundation, and lives have been changed, for the better of course...that's what we're all about!

March 11, 2006


We had to cross this creek 4 times, and the first time we could go over rocks, the second time, we had to go through the water hoping not to stub a toe on the rocks, and by the fourth time, we were up to our knees...	The hail set our path	This was nasty...I didn't want to step in this whatever kind of water, so we had to hold on and walk along the side...this was under the freeway and we had to do this 4 times...hmmmm, kind of funky!	The hail would smack my face as the winds were coming at 20- 40 mph from the west. I just had to laugh, it was only 32 miles...

March 2006


When I'm not training for a run...I'm training my 2 endurance horses. this is Ben and I in my arena before we go hit the mountains...

February 23, 2006


My marathon group on their last long run...		Not only can we run, but we can party!!! One of our monthly pow-wows!

February 18, 2006


Western States 100 mile training clinic, shown here with Mari, Jorge, Me, Tim and Greg	Ok, so I lied and told Mari and Jorge the weather was going to be nice...ooops, we were the only ones who were a little under dressed	It was fun to run in the snow	Showing off our battle scars

Mari and I made the best of it!	Love to hammer those down hills...	Our training run is over, time to go home, to be a mom...you know!	I can't go home without blood and mud...what kind of mother would I be?

February 4, 2006


Susie, Hans, Me, Jorge and Mari at the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile check in... I knew Jorge was going to have a good race!	Is this a face of a champion or what?	Jorge off to run the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile run in 13 hours ... what???????	Jorge after he finished...he ran sub 8 minute miles for 100 miles, is he human?

Meet Mark Jacob...I introduced this incredible cyclist and friend of many, many years to running, I showed him the way to marathons, he paced me in a 100 mile run, then I talked him into doing his 1st 100 mile run, I paced him 80 miles of it, the Rocky Raccoon 100 was his 2nd 100 mile run, and he ran a sub 24...go figure!!! he's hot~~~

February 2006

	Ahamanson Ranch is just outside my back door, I feel so lucky!	Why am I smiling? Because I love my sponsors...Thank you Under Armour and Energizer!
Just a few of us today. Today 2/7, we ran 8 with hill repeats, on Thursday we'll run 16 and then next week we'll increase our mileage to 18...with just weeks away from the marathon, we are ready!!!

Last month I went to run the Avalon 50, to determine if I could start my year off with a nice, easy 50 mile training run, and if I felt good after the 50, in February I would run the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile, slow and easy to establish miles back in my legs. I have done this every year, ran my first 50 for the year in January and then a 100 miler to put my mind in a good place for the year. These past few months, I've had so much time off, I'm sure it's good in the long run (ha ha), but it's been a bit frustrating especially after coming off a year of great, successful 100 mile runs! I dropped out at Avalon due to this nagging heel and foot injury and decided if I want to go into the Grand Slam (my goal for the year), I need to be 100%. So with this mature and logical thinking, I offered to be available for Jorge Pacheco to crew at the 100 mile Rocky Raccoon in Texas on February 4th. Jorge won Rocky Raccoon 100 last year in a time of 14:14...yes he runs 100 milers in 14 hours! I told Mark Jacob who paced me at AC100 in September and I introduced the poor guy into the sport, and paced him to his first 100 mile run in October to run Rocky Raccoon 100, since he wanted to run another 100 before his AC100 attempt, and Rocky is one of the easier 100's. This would give him more experience and confidence for the tougher 100 mile runs, and Angeles Crest 100 is tough it put me in the hospital in 2004, and in 2005, I finished it. I taught Mark my "over 5 years of trial and error" in running 100's in just his few short months of the sport, and he was willing to listen... Mark told me that the best experience for him to run and complete his first 100 was pacing me in my 100 mile run, as he saw me go into the "ugly place" and be able to come out...several times. I told him that running at night with me and watching me take care of my myself by eating, hydrating, pacing and "digging deep" would benefit him so much in his 100 mile career. Mark came along with Jorge, Mari (Jorge's wife and best crew person ever) and myself, and we were off to Texas. The four of us flew in Friday the day before and we saw that the weather was going to be in favor for the runners. I was jealous to not be able to run with this kind of weather, since this race can be very cold, cold enough for me to be hypothermic one year. The race started and Jorge was off to a nice pace. Mari and I would meet him at certain stations were we could crew and gave him his fuel. We would wait to see Mark and a few others, Andy Jones Wilkins, and Julie Fingar. Being that the race is 5 loops of 20 miles, we were able to cheer on the other runners along with taking care of Jorge, our champion!

The course record for this race is 13:16:02, and is also the worlds' fastest 100 mile time. When Mari and I realized Jorge was on course record time, we pushed him and told his pacers to do the same. We saw Mark as Jorge was going into his 80 loop and Mark into his 60 miles. Mark wasn't asking for his "mommy" so we knew he was feeling good, and he looked great. Jorge was running sub 8 minute miles for the entire race, and at mile 97, with 20 minutes to spare, we told him "go Jorge, you can do it!" We told his pacer to push him to break the record...I felt sad to see Jorge under this pressure, yet Mari and I were part of it. Mari and I drove back to the finish to let the cheering fans know that the first runner, Jorge Pacheco was coming in. As we witnessed the clock at the 13th hour and no sign of Jorge, we were a bit concerned. At 13:15, we saw the flashlights running towards the finish line. Everyone was screaming to bring Jorge in under the 13:16:02...I saw the 13:16:02 click to :03, then :04, as I watched Jorge just yards away from the finish line. He ran in and looked at the clock. To feel for Jorge with a finish time of 13:13:57 is quite selfish, I guess, but he, we, wanted this so bad, and knew he was capable. Mari and I are upset that we gave him a bunk flashlight which made it difficult to see the trails at night. His second pacer (Jorge needs two pacers because he runs too fast) felt bad and we told him not to, that everyone did the best job and Jorge ran an incredible race and is considered the 2nd fastest 100 mile runner in the world.

Mark ran an impressive 23:14 for his second 100 miler! A sub 24 finish time, is quite amazing, he beat my best time, not that it bothers me or anything (hmmm), maybe I'm becoming a better coach than runner...I'm very proud of him and feel part of it... Mark again told me how beneficial pacing me was, and I believe Mark is going to be a pretty incredible ultra runner...right now, he's learning! He told me how he uses the 100 mile runs in his everyday life, and I replied "running 100's is a metaphor for life". This teaches you how to get through obstacles in life, it's empowering to see what your mind (oh yeah and body) are capable of doing, and also with commitment, focus and determination, comes success! We left Texas very satisfied! Jorge ran 7 minute miles for 100 miles, so we think he's actually an alien, not human! It's hard to be on other side, yet rewarding to assist people to their glory. My running group has been fulfilling my needs in running and being with them 2-3 times a week, gives me so much satisfaction. I'll run a few shorter races this spring 50k's and 50 miles, and the Grand Slam starts in June with Western States 100, so all I ask is that I'm injury free! I will post pictures of my running group and the great runs we've been on, we're up to 18 miles, and this group is tough! I will also post pictures of the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile race this week...

January 2006

I'm back running and looking forward to a healthy, successful and Happy New Year! I ran 20 miles with Jorge and Mari this past weekend (the 7th) and it felt great. Took the group out today for a 16 mile LA Marathon training run. Most of them have never gone further than 11 miles, and they were awesome. Hidden Hills Trail Runners is starting to crank up the miles and the next 5 weeks will be our serious training. Everyone's excited to be able to train in the mountains and run 26.2 miles on March 19th. I have a 50 mile run this weekend, and this race will determine if I go to Texas in February for the 100 miler...I have no miles on my legs except for the 2 training runs, but we know it's 80% mental anyway! I sent in all my entries for the Grand Slam of Ultra Running and Badwater (see itinerary) and will now focus on my year. The Hidden Hills Trail Runners group is raising money and bringing awareness for various charities, and if you interested in making a donation, please contact me for a list of charities that we are supporting. I'll post pictures of all of us crazy runners training soon!!!

December 2005

Sorry that I haven't posted lately. I've had a few doctor appointments that are really starting to get in my way of life, and living. I've been taking off time running these past couple months through all of this, it's really hard for me to focus, yet I'm sure my body is happy for the break, I myself, need to get back to my running the trails, running with my group, my family, supporting our charities, and being me!

November 20, 2005


Training with Jorge and Mari at Griffith Park. We have big goals for 2006 and now the training begins! Mari and I plan to run Badwater together, Jorge and I will be at Rocky Raccoon 100, Western States 100 and Angeles Crest 100, and those are just a few of what's in store for 2006! Bring it on!!!

November 15, 2005


Stephanie Ehret and Peter Bakwin, just a couple of world class elite runners came out to stay with me after their 24 hour World Championship track run. They ran with my group and it was quite the delight to run with such talent... all of them! Stephanie and I are wearing Nicole DeBoom's running skirts, if those aren't the cutest ever and so comfortable. Peter is in the back next to John. We had a great run that day.

November 2005


This is my training partner Shelby, she is 10 months old and 100 lbs. Shelby's turning into quite the endurance dog. I am now finally getting her mileage up	With my injury and all, for now...I am just "Married with Children" shown here with Ed	Our friends, The Gracie's	When I don't have Shelby as my protection during my run, I'd like to have the Gracie family, and if you're not familiar with the name, they are the best in Jiu Jitsu!

November 5, 2005

While I'm taking care of an injury, I'm also secretly training with my two favorite training partners, Jorge Pacheco and Maria Lemus. I couldn't turn down the day. We ran 26 miles in Ahmanson, where I ran my 100 mile solo and what had recently burned, is now back to my wonderful training grounds. It feels good to run with Jorge and Mari. I love learning from the best! Jorge is my hero...

October 28, 2005

Well after a couple doctor appointments since my Javalina Jundred (100 mile Arizona race) "DNF", I have come to terms that I need to rest. From an injury a year ago, and I never really took care of it (rest), I finally need to listen to my body (and the doctors) and take off the remainder of the year to heal. I'm totally ok with this (yeah right) and will just look forward to the 2006 year. I checked out my symptoms on Google, and that freaked me out, I have everything wrong with me, things I've never heard of, and don't want to know about...So I think I better just listen to the doctors, no more of my own research, but instead, rest, rest, rest and a bit of physical therapy. I want, and need to go into the 2006 year injury free, so "rest" is what I will do for the next 2 months. I love running with my marathon group and getting them ready for the LA marathon, most of them, their first marathon, so that makes me happy to see their improvement and excitement each time we meet. I can run the distances with the group and stay pretty pain free...well, actually after I ran yesterday, only 11 miles, I hurt the remainder of the day, but I'm committed to my incredible group and will only run the days with them, for now. I just hate to lose all my training I have in my legs and I know right now, I can jump into any 100 mile race and with the training I have from this year and my experience I know I can finish, but not with this injury. 2006 will be the year I will run the Western Sates 100 mile run, Badwater 135 mile run, and ride my horse in the Tevis 100 mile. I believe no man or woman has completed these 3 events in the same calendar year, and this is my motivation! The 3 events will be done within a 5 week period, and this is the main reason I need to take care of my body. This was my goal for 2005, but mother nature got in the way and gave us a few too many rain storms which interfered with qualifying races for Tevis. If all goes well, and I can be creative and make time to train for a century bike race, then I believe my year will be complete and this could satisfy my athletic goals for the year...Would I love to do the Furnace Creek 508, on top of all of this? You betcha, and this is on the back burner along with a few other fantasy goals...I'm shooting for all of it, and I'm confident that I will achieve all that I have planned for next year. For now, I will focus on finishing my book and film, my other passions, and I just have to look at this as a positive, that I can and will complete my other priorities. Heck, with all this downtime I finally finished my spring cleaning from 2001. I need to practice what I preach, "balance". I realize how 100 mile training takes up a lot of time, but wouldn't trade it in for the world, and now that I won't run my next 100 miler until February 2006, I really miss the feeling of a running goal so close to strive for. I will keep updating my website with other good news, and brag about everyone in my running group. I am so proud of them with their commitment, desire, success and passion for running. My thrill is to get everyone that I have worked with, and have shared with them what running is all about to me, to see their faces, most with a trace of fear on their faces, at the marathon start line, and to be able to be part of their journey for the 26 miles, and to witness their pride, tears and joy, as we cross the finish line, that makes me happier than myself finishing another 100 miler! I've had a 100% success rate with everyone in my groups...

These are my girls and guy! I am so proud of them and they make me happy whether I have an injury or just to have their company on the trails as I get them ready for the LA Marathon!

		My group is so incredible! You can see them at the finish line at the LA Marathon on March 19th!
This was taken shortly after the fires.	a few from the Hidden Hills Trail Runners Back row, left to right: Lisa, Kerry Diana, Carol... Front row, left to right: Sharon, Janet, Mary, Me, Liz

October 16, 2005

I just got back a few hours ago from Arizona and the Javalina Jundred (100 mile ultra marathon) and I have a good story for you, but not so good for me, or is it? I went into this race with the intentions of a sub 24 hour finish. I felt it is time, and I believe I've done enough in the sport to be able to step up to the plate and run 100 miles under 24 hours. I ran this race 2 years ago so I knew the course, a huge advantage in our sport...

So anyway, I talked my friend Mark who paced me at Angeles Crest 100 to run his first 100 miler, I knew he wanted to run 100 miles one day, and this was the opportune time since he had good training in his legs and his mind was still excited after witnessing just a few weeks ago, runners finishing the Angeles Crest 100 and how this must feel, to run 100 miles. Javalina Jundred is not a mountainous 100, and what some (like me) would think is an easy 100 miler, but is there such thing of an easy 100 mile run? Uhhh, no, there is no such thing...So here we are at the start of a race, almost 100 runners, my newbie friend Mark, and my maternal self who is always concerned during races, about everyone else...mama hen took off for that sub 24 hour time. Today this race was going to be about me, with Mark, Jorge, Catra, Mari and a few others finishing in the back of my mind. I felt good and ran the first loop of 15 miles in 3 hours and 15 minutes, which was my goal to bring me in to the sub 24 hour finish...I paced myself and wanted to do each 15 mile loop in under 3:30. I know my body and knew if I paced myself during the day, especially since this day was going to be hot (90 plus degrees), I would feel good during the night and take advantage to run with cooler temps. I went out feeling as if I were going to have the day to accomplish the "only" running goal I have left for me...I felt great and right away picked up my friend Mark who was doing his first 100, you know the guy who I talked into running after pacing me, and he's never done anything but 2 50k's and a couple marathons, so I felt responsible for bringing him here, and felt responsible bringing him to the finish. We started to run together, and being the newbie that he is, we went out faster than any first timer should. I told him that a fast start could ruin his 100 mile finish, considering the "unknown of 100 miles is what will haunt you" and that he better pace himself, but anyway we were having fun. As we were running, I twisted my ankle on a great, technical, rocky stretch, but didn't think much of it, it only felt like a little twang, and I thought it would go away in seconds. Instead it triggered this injury I've been feeling for a while and now at mile 25 I had to deal with this, hoping in seconds this would go away. I was running and popped 4 Advil's immediately hoping to take the pain away. Mark and I continued on telling bad jokes, you know buying 100 mile time, and having a great time. I felt the pain in my ankle, and the bottom of foot became a new nuisance, and an old lingering injury came back to spend the day with me. Mark kept saying throughout our run, that if he can get to mile 80, his race is in the bank, and that if he got to mile 80, he knew he would finish, it was a guarantee to him. Having the experience, I felt different, but kept quiet as I know things can go wrong at mile 85, 90 and you can be done in a race at any time. This played over and over in my head, when I knew at mile 30, my race should be over, but I wanted to get him to mile 80 since his faith in finishing the race was there...I heard his words, and felt my foot with each step. I wanted so badly for Mark the guy that introduced me to my wonderful husband and the friend who paced me last minute in the Angeles Crest 100 last month, to get to mile 80 since he had the confidence this would get him to the finish line with or without me. I was torn between commitment to myself and to a friend.

We continued on and another newbie runner, Connie came on board. Her crew told her to stick with me as I am guaranteed to finish a 100 miler. I felt the pressure in so many ways along with the pain on the bottom of my foot and ankle. In my mind I threw out the goal of a sub 24, but instead wanted to get Mark and now Connie to their finish, and that was all...Marks' wife Stephanie and 7 month old baby Jeremy were there to see him run 100 miles, I felt responsible for this especially after the reoccurring words of "80 miles and I'm there, a done deal" and so on...And as much as I love the trails in Arizona, I was hating the fact that I wasn't feeling great, and thought maybe, hopefully with time I would feel better, so I took more Advil, ran with Mark, conversed with other runners and just wanted to make it a fun day, not a sub 24 anymore. I told Mark when I thought he needed to eat food after feeling faint, have soup when he was feeling hypothermic, and do all that I've learned over the past years of ultra running, he was learning in a day. He was good, he listened and I knew he hated staying back in this pace, but realized by the mile 30 plus mark when runners were dropping left and right and down to a death march that perhaps they went out too fast and he was doing good with his pace. I told Mark, and he witnessed this pacing me at Angeles Crest 100 mile last month, that I like to finish stronger than I start and this is what we'll do, so let's take it easy in the beginning and save ourselves for a great last 50 miles when the night is here, the temps have dropped and the moon is full. I feel when running 100 miles you want to feel fresh at 50, and I believe this is why I pace myself with a slower start and feel better later in the race, so far this has worked for me. I wasn't sure of what my body was going to do this day anymore, but just enough to get Mark to mile 80 and let him go was good enough for me now. I threw out my goal of a sub 24, and then a goal to just finish, and now I'm throwing the towel in for my race... My ankle and bottom of foot became worse, yet I hid the pain to continue on. The wee hours of the morning crept on, and seeing my friend Jorge who I wanted so badly to win, was also having a challenging day and I felt so bad for him. Jorge's wife Mari and Catra were having the time of their life out there, and this just made me want to remain in the race. I wanted Jorge to feel better and he became my next concern. I didn't care if he won, just that he was ok So much goes on in a 100 miles, and now at this time in the race, I had just found out about Julie (the front runner woman) was having kidney problems and this made me worry about her. I just kind of wanted to be home in my own bed, or hanging out with my donkeys and horses at this point. Now I started worrying about them...just kidding ....My enemies, if I have any, were even looking good at this moment... Too much to worry about and my race wasn't about me at all anymore, but about a few other people...I continued on worrying and limping along and had blood blisters and nagging aches that made me reevaluate my race and my sanity. I got into mile 75, popped blisters, and the words from others who were medical experts as well as experienced ultra runners who told me to quit, what do I have to prove and don't make an injury worse, yet I couldn't leave Mark at mile 75, mile 80 is where he and I felt comfortable with a finish, so I had to get him there...Mark, Chrissie, Deb and I continued on and I was suffering and limping along. Connie took off ahead and was feeling great. I threw up a bit from my body wanting to quit and I'm sure a little too much of the stuff to buffer the pain. When we approached the mile 80 aid station, I knew it was time and I could let Mark go on and I asked Chrissie if she could keep an eye on him, hoping Mark would remember my words of wisdom. So at 4 am I watched Mark continue on with Chrissie in tow and Deb and I got into the van to take me back to the start/finish area to drop from the race. What a tough ride back that was. I was still wondering if I could have, should have continued on for 20 more miles, but walking this stretch with an injury would be stupid and I had to let this race go. Mark and Connie both finished their first 100 miler in 27 hours and 39 minutes, I had an 80 mile training run, Mari, Catra, and Chrissie finished with respectable times, and Jorge finished 5th place, so I was happy the he hung in there when I saw in his eyes, he was hurting. I tell my children how important it is to give everything your best, and I know, not today, but in a while that I did give it my best. I sit here and wonder if I could have ran 20, yes only 20 more miles with my pain...I know there are bigger things in the world to worry about, but this is part of my world and I ran this for charity, that I was going to run 100 miles, not 80 miles! Anyway instead of feeling sorry for myself, I have to think how Mark has to be so happy today and this makes me feel good. People were and still are telling me how great he ran the last 20 miles and how good he looked. Am I bummed and beating myself up over my drop? You better believe it... Life goes on and I think I'll take off the next couple months and let my body heal from the year. I say this now, but if I was injury free, I'd be looking for that next 100 miler for my sub 24 next week, but instead, I'll have the doctor check this injury and go from there. If the doc says I'm good to go, just need a little time off, well then I'll be at that next 100 mile start line, soon...I've done a lot this year, and I'm proud of my AC finish and Badwater buckle. Dropping out of this race, I'll get over it, and if Mark wasn't there, I would have dropped out earlier, which to me, it's easier to drop at mile 30 with 70 miles to go, than at mile 80 with only 20 miles to go. I will add text soon, but here are a few pictures, do you love my blister? It was what hurt the least at that point...


A group shot the day before we run 100 miles	Julie, Me and Jorge	Good ol' Woolife who paced me in 2003 from mile 90 to the finish, he is shown here with Deb who helped so many runners during the race.

5:00 am race morning	Jorge looking strong as always	I was feeling good at this point, I had all the experience for another 100 mile finish, but you never know what can happen during a 100 mile race...	Catra, and I stopping for a hug around mile18ish

My friend Mark who paced me at AC 100 the month before, I am now pacing him to his first 100 mile finish!	Chrissy and I at some crazy time in the morning, I was struggling with an ankle injury at this point, but just wanted to get Mark to mile 80, where he felt confident with finishing...	From compensating an injury you start to get these nasty blisters, this one hurt...	I'm so happy running, even though I knew it was best that I drop so my injury doesn't get worse...

The real "Survivor" show!	Something about Arizona is just so dreamy...

October 14, 2005

I'm off to Arizona to run the Javalina Jundred...100 miles of running on jeep trails and single track, in the most beautiful desert. I'll be surrounded by Joshua trees, wild life, and the most amazing sunset, and hopefully I'll be done before sunrise Sunday morning. I'll post a story and pictures after I finish, yes after I FINISH! I'd like to think this is my last 100 miler for the year, but something tells me I have at least one more for the year in me!

October, 2005

LA Marathon Training Begins!

It's time to start training for the Los Angeles Marathon. With just 5 months away, and whether you are a newbie or a pro, a date needs to be penciled in your calendar. Good supportive running shoes, water bottles, comfortable running clothes, a positive mind and of course, commitment to the group and to yourself in order to start. Goals need to be set and achieved by taking baby steps to the LA Marathon start line. Over the years so many people have asked me what I like so much about running and why do I like to run 100 mile ultra marathons. Running became a part of my life in my thirties, with no interest or experience prior. I feel running was something I had inside that I never found until I wanted to lose weight after a baby. Little did I know how "losing weight" slipped out of my plans, it was not my priority anymore, and all I wanted was to become a "marathoner". The weight came off, but it wasn't such big deal anymore, running was! Watching the LA Marathon on TV as I was holding my little infant, established some serious thoughts in my mind, you know, losing weight, getting healthy, proudly bragging "I run marathons" and having my kids proud when they are old enough to acknowledge their moms accomplishments. So I started with 1 mile then 2, 5, 10 and so on, to reach my goal of 26.2 miles... With the requests of many neighbors, friends, and even strangers, I started a running group in my community, and since I am not a trainer or coach, I don't ask to be paid, but instead each month we raise money and bring awareness to different charities chosen by each runner of the group. I feel I am very fortunate to run 26.2 marathons, 100 mile ultra marathons, or even run to my mailbox, and this is why we need to give back to those less fortunate. We meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, to start, and soon we build up enough mileage to where we need to incorporate another day of training, this extra day(s), the group can do with me, or on their own, as I have my training for my ultra marathons as well. Our runs usually go for about 90 minutes and I cater to the new runners in the group or the last person running. I don't want anyone discouraged, only excited to be part of marathon runners. I will never forget my first marathon, it was and still is life altering! I've had a 100% success rate getting every single person that I have shown what "I like about running", to finish a marathon. They cry during and the finish, especially when they see their children and spouses clapping and cheering them on, and I know the feeling, it will remain with me for a lifetime. A few from my group, usually around mile 20 in the marathon, will tell me, they will never run another marathon again, but it's so funny, they come back for more. The feeling of finishing something as big as running 26.2 miles, is incredible, definitely a conversation piece at any party, the office or any social gathering, and it's never too late to start. You don't need to be a neighbor for me to get you to the start and finish of a marathon, just contact me, find a charity to run for, and I will get you to the finish line of a 26.2 mile marathon of your choice! You are responsible to take care of your body's needs, listen to your body to prevent injury, and you must have a doctors approval before starting. I have taken a few from my group into the world of ultra marathons, several have done 50k's, one a 50 miler where I ran the entire 50 miles to make sure she gets to that finish line, and my pacer from my last 100 mile race will be doing his first 100 mile run October 15th. I told him this week, the week before to "eat like a pig, drink (water) like a fish, and if you do any running, run like a turtle". Whether you are running 26 or 100 miles, there is a strategy and game plan that needs to be looked at. I have the experience and knowledge to allow myself to take on many physical and mental challenges and I want to share this with you. Running is a metaphor in life for me, I feel with what I can do with running, I can do anything if I set goals, make a plan and focus to the finish! You can too, so let's see what you're made of, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!!!

September 24, 2005


Training with the high school water polo boys	Hill repeats	oh to have young lungs!	a jump in our pool and jacuzzi after the run

September 23, 2005

How I taper after a 100 mile run...I throw a party 5 days later. This past year my friends have been so generous and supportive towards my charities, and listening to my running stories over and over again, so I decided to throw a little spa party for 20 of my best friends. We had massages, hand and foot scrubs, yoga, of course a psychic, healthy snacks, and lunch that I prepared for them. I wish I had a friend like me!


The invitation	The entrance to my spa	the creek path in my backyard	all the girls	Mari, Meryl, Kerrri and I - yes I have them all running marathons!

eating	schmoozing	Three massage tents were placed in my backyard	me trying to relax	a little yoga

lunch	my presents from them	their presents from me

September 18, 2005

I finished the Angeles Crest 100 mile Endurance Run! 7th woman overall...

I'm so happy...I finished the Angeles Crest 100 mile run in 32 hours and 33 minutes. Catra, Deb and I drove up on Thursday night. Catra's stress level was at zero the day before and mine was at a peak. This race and I had a few bad memories and I just wanted to get to that finish line Sunday morning. I had a rough start which concerned me a bit in the beginning, but I just worked through it and I'm happy that I did. It's very easy to give up when things aren't going right, but I knew that I just had to give it a chance and with time, a little patience, everything would most likely work out, and it did, and just in time to take on the many other 100 mile challenges. I started with some very tight calves, which was due to the cold start and the huge climb in the beginning of the race. I believe my body's thermostat is still at Badwater (Death Valley in July) and anything under 90 degrees, I get cold, my body loves the heat...Due to catering to my calves from the start I ended up chasing the cut offs and this made me stress out, but the good part about this was that I was constantly thinking of the next aid station and how much time I had to get there instead of what mile I was at, and before I knew it, I was at mile 43, 52 and so on. I started to feel better around mile 43 and passed several runners. I caught up with with Robert, another runner around mile 46, and we hit the Mt Hillyer aid station around 7:15 pm where it was starting to get dark. He sat for a minute and started getting hypothermia, so I couldn't leave him at that aid station and the medical team wanted to pull him, but I said I would stay with him till the next aid station, and I'm glad I did because we left there and as we were running a huge mountain lion ran across the trail in front of us. He went to pick up a rock and I told him that we should just keep moving to the next aid station. It was a bit scary knowing we were being watched during dinner time, but we ran really close together and would listen for any sounds. At this same spot on the course, is where last year I was found passed out and was taken to the emergency hospital so I was happy to make it through this point in more ways than one. My family and pacer were waiting at the next aid station and I was so happy to see them. I had a blister taken care of and my pacer Mark and I were off. He's never paced before and has only ran two 50k's and a couple marathons, so I was a little concerned about his experience. I was so impressed with his pacing since he would really push me, not let me sleep, not even a 2 minute nap, or spend too much time at aid stations, but instead kept me moving and since he wanted to just run, run , run, we kept going and before I knew it, I had so much time in the bank for aid station cut offs. Mark loved running at night and we were lucky to have a full moon, which lit up the trails so mystically. The wheels came off for a bit during the night, but Mark was tough on me, which is what I needed. I would warn him that I felt another "lull" coming on and he just let me do what I needed to work through it. Today he admires most how he witnessed me so down in my mood and moments later, be happy again and want to run. Once the sun came I felt a lot better and we picked up a fast pace. Robert became part of the group running with Mark and I, since he had no pacer, and the 3 of us had a fun time encouraging each other. Mark couldn't believe how I could run at mile 80 and 90 and how beat he felt from this course, how I must have felt. It was an amazing feeling the entire race, and having Mark there who introduced my husband and I many years ago, and the relationship we have, was a great feeling. When we were approaching the finish line, I wanted to cry, because I knew my family was there to greet me, and I so badly wanted to, finally finish this race, and I did. Marks' wife Stephanie was there with their baby, my mom and sister, and my biggest fans, my husband and 2 sons. I ran to the finish with Hans who is just the greatest to hang out with from mile 90 on. My friend Jorge who has won this race the past 3 years year had a rough day and fell asleep for a few hours at mile 84, and another runner won. Jorge is the epitome of a true champion since he was sleeping and Catra came through the aid station, woke him up and Jorge and Catra went on to finish the race together. This is what I call good sportsmanship and this is why he is loved, respected and admired in the sport, because it's not always about the win, and when putting your body through 100 miles with over 22,00 feet of elevation gain, you never know what is going to happen ...we are so fortunate to do this, and this is a gift that I appreciate so much and I know Jorge feels the same. I'm sure many competitive elite athletes would have quit, knowing they weren't going to be the champion that day, but Jorge will always be the champion and getting back in the race after not feeling good for hours, is one of the many reasons why he is the "real champion". I have to take care of my blistered feet and a little ankle injury I have, just to get ready for my next 100 mile run in just over 3 weeks... Here are a few Angeles Crest 100 mile pictures!

The pre race medical check.	My hero Jorge	My sole sista Catra	I love these guys. I feel as if I were in some type of extreme sport or something when I run with them	check out their shoes, or should I say sandals...


Finally feeling good heading into Islip - mile 25, I had a rough first quarter, but now I'm happy	1st medical check and I was good to go!	Fuel up and get out of that aid station!	Heading into the Cooper Canyon stretch, 3 bottles are needed for the heat of the day. I love challenge - and this race gives me that.	Mile 52, having blisters popped and getting ready for a night time of running...
My pacer Mark and I sometime during the night	I caught up to Hans at mile 90 and we ran the last 10 miles together with my pacer Mark	I finally finished AC100, and I don't even have to go to the hospital!	I love my family for their support.	Mark was an awesome pacer!

September 15, 2005

I'm off to run Angeles Crest 100 mile endurance run...September 17th - send me happy thoughts - I will update after my finish! Remember when running 100 miles..."pain is inevitable, suffering is optional"

September 9, 2005

Just getting ready for my next 100 mile race in 8 days, and I'm scared!!! This race put me in the hospital last year, with 3 IV's and a bruised ego, and 2 years ago, I was pulled at mile 91, had a little blood in my urine, just a little...This year the trails are going to be more challenging due to our rains this year. I don't have a pacer as of yet and for me to run by myself through the forest at night, freaks me out...I'm not as tough as we think, I'm a chicken. But on a happier note, I feel good after doing my 100 mile solo 2 weeks ago, and last weekend I went up on the course and ran 17 miles in the elevation and tomorrow, I will go up and run again in the altitude, just for my lungs, and my mind...

	I was training with Jorge, Mari (my favorite running partners) and Jason, a 16 year old water polo boy from my sons school, who is now training for his first marathon. We ran 16 miles today going up to Baden Powell, at almost 10,000 feet elevation.
I can't wait to hit this corner during the race (mile 34ish on the course) in 8 days

August 30, 2005

I ran my first solo 100 mile on August 27th...No race, no competition, no awards, no buckle, not even a race t-shirt, but a great team (again) I had and they ran me to a 24:26 finish!

I've been planning, or should I say fantasizing to run a 100 mile solo for a while now, but I believe it was my crazy race itinerary that delayed the event for almost a year. This worked out to my benefit, since I had so much planning to do and was unaware of what it takes to put a race on, even if it was just me! In between my races and my other life, the quiet normal life of "motherhood", I was searching for a perfect route, one that I would feel comfortable on, one that I could have my friends at so they can witness what I love so much about ultra running, and one that I could run for a special charity, close to my heart, and my community. For months, I was running with Deb (the GPS queen), asking mountain bikers, rangers and everyone to help me map out mileage on the course that I train on. Deb would come over with her GPS, and we calculated a great loop, and out and backs in my own backyard foothills. I had figured out my course, and would try to get as much time on there as possible. I had no idea the work I had ahead. Permits, insurance, ranger fees, were my next task, but pulled it off last minute.

The day was scheduled for August 27th, 5 weeks after Badwater. I felt pretty recovered form Badwater, but I wasn't able to run with my blisters and baby soft feet. I had only ran 2x, 15 miles each and a 4 miler since Badwater. So either I was going in fresh, or under trained, I knew the only way to find out was to start! I had a banner made to hang up on the park entry gate so that people could come by and see that my solo run was for the Chase Foundation, the charity I was running for. I had to have a horse and rider, which was my friend Charisse, an awesome endurance rider there to do the first loop just in case there was an emergency and a helicopter or emergency vehicle couldn't get to me, the horse could. Greg Soderlund and Catra Corbett both flew out to be part of my run. Could you get any better than this? Greg is the race director for the Western States 100 mile endurance race, the most prestigious of all. I knew Greg would put his expertise, passion and talent to this event. He puts his heart into everything he does, and there was no way I would have had the experience I had if it wasn't for him. Charisse and her horse pulled up at my arena at 5:00 am, tacked up, and we walked down to the start, which was at the end of my street where the Santa Monica Mountains, Ahmanson Ranch and I will be spending the next day and night together. My wonderful friends and neighbors Stine, Alex and their son were there waiting for me at the start, and it felt incredible to see them and that the day was finally here. There was no race jitters, no countdown, no gun shot start, just a time check and "go". Catra Corbett was running the first loop with me to put my mind in a good place, considering she's the queen of solos and what an adventurer she is, too bad she has no personality (this is a joke, she's all about personality). We ran into Laurie Streff from Badwater and what a delight to see her out on the Chesebro Park loop, she was there to greet me during my solo. I wanted her to come back later that day, and was hoping she could but she had other obligations. Catra, Charisse and I got back from the first loop, where we had so much fun, laughing and being girls, and Greg had set up the aid station like it was Western States! I wanted to cry when I saw his aid station for my solo, but I couldn't because all my neighbors were there waiting for me to come in and I felt such a sense of my community support and this made me realize how special people are, plus I didn't want to let them see me weak. Neighbors were coming by with donations, asking if I needed anything and Alex and Stine would go to the market and get any necessary last minute requests. Catra entertained me so much the first loop, and suggested with the heat being 107, and for safety reasons that she should run with me the second loop considering we were the only locos out there that day, where it's usually bombarded with the weekend warriors on mountain bikes, running and riders. I couldn't resist her offer, she made me laugh and the loops flew by with her being there. I threw up the first hour out, but recovered, and Catra freaked out over this, she's never seen anyone get sick like I did run and throw up at the same time, hey doesn't she know, I'm talented! It was hot and our water bottles would go from ice to hot water in a moments time. We hit both aid stations out on our loop and you would think we haven't had water for days. We wrapped ice around our neck and that dried up in a second, but we just needed to get back to the main aid station.

When we arrived from our second loop, now 48 miles, I had my sons water polo boys there wanting to run. Aric, our neighbor the 5 minute miler, Jorge who just won the Bulldog 50k, Mari his wife, and Deb all wanting to run in my solo. Greg decided to join us and Catra manned the aid station and hung out with my mom, my sister and the enquiring neighbors. My husband was so happy to have me at a 100 mile race, so close to home. I was so happy to have this group with me. The boys from my sons team, my older son, cute little Aric, my ultra runner friends, and Jorge who just won a tough 50k and Mari came to help me at my race. Wow... The loop went too quickly, I didn't want it to end, but I was also concerned about the boys, being a mom and it was still over 100 degrees. When we finished the boys hobbled back to my house and jumped into the jacuzzi and off I went on another loop. One boy from water polo Jason, decided he enjoyed trail running and would continue with some more loops. I had Deb who also ran Bulldog come and run a bit, and help out at the aid station. She was great to have as she knows the signs when things start going bad with me. My other neighbor Lisa, who I trained and paced in her first marathon, came and joined us for a loop, now she was there pacing me. She loved running the night because she couldn't' see the hills, I thought this was funny. I had a surprise visitor, Jana Gustman come out and do a loop, and get me back on track as this was a race for me, not a social, she wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself, she came at the right time. This was so fun for me to run with all these people and to do this so close to home. The night time became the usual "night time " for me, and the wheels came off, but my team put them back on right away and kept me moving. Greg loved running at night on my trails, he was so fun to run with as was everybody, each one I have special memories with. Jorge and Deb kept me moving through the night and kept me uprights as I would often sleep walk. I told my family and friends to meet at 5:00 am, if they wanted to do the last loop together, and as I was coming down the single track I could see the car lights and everyone waiting for me. My other son was there to run with his mom, my husband, Stine was back and the gang was off to help me, Shannon, in her last stretch. Everyone was laughing and talking about their experience running through the night for their first time, the trails, being part, and this moment I will never forget. Jason, my sons water polo team mate, ended up doing 31 miles, and now wants to do LA Marathon. He was hurting for a few days after and I felt bad, the water polo boys missed the next days practice, but they too are still talking about running. I didn't think it would be this amazing with the support, the camaraderie, my neighbors and ultra running and non ultra running friends. I would like to make this an annual event, of course for charity but I don't know if it could ever be as special as this was...

Here are a few pictures from my 100 mile solo run, "wow" is all I can say!


Just Greg, Catra and I schlepping the ice chest to aid station #2	My son is such a trooper	Aid station #2 Catra and I race morning	My buddy Stine who was there at the start, all day, and finish, what a friend...

Could you get a better race director, and friend -Greg Soderlund	The sunrise and Charisse, Catra and I do the first loop, the horse was required for emergency purposes...	No words needed, just beautiful! Charisse on her horse	Charisse sponges off her horse in the 107 degree heat

I felt good in the beginning, don't we always...	Catra and I, she is the best... I needed her so bad to make this happen	okay so the sun took a little out of us...	I felt like a desperate housewife...just looking for a smidgen of shade...
please pinch me, and then tell me that I ran with my son and a few boys from his water polo team, they think I'm a cool mom...look at Jorge, second row, on the right with the Vasque shirt, I love him so much, he is my hero and so is Mari on the left, they are the best ever!	Can I get a little support here! Mile 48 for me	My son is behind me to give me the comfort I needed, and my mom is, just being a mom! Alex is off to the side, wondering...why?	My main aid station at night. I love all of them for their love, support and of course, the donations that poured in from my community!
Just us hot chicks on a Saturday night... mile 70 - Deb, Jana, Mari and I, check out the Desitin on my thighs - ouch...	I'm so happy here and I think I drove Deb crazy.	Whew, once I saw my hubby and son at 5:00 am, 94 miles later, I was a happy camper again...at this point I wore everyone out, including myself.	What do you do in your spare time? Come join us...the fun crowd!


Pinch me again, because this was the best! All that showed up at the wee hours to run the last few miles...does it get any better than this?		100 miles later - 24 hours and 26 minutes, and the best feeling to know I can run 100 miles...just because...just because I want to prove that anything is possible and that the Chase Foundation was my inspiration to keep me moving...	Catra and I spent the next day at the spa...she is so incredible!

August 20, 2005

Today I ran with a group training for the Bulldog 50k. Bulldog is on the same day as my 100 mile solo, and also my first 50k run 7 years ago. We ran a 25k on the Bulldog course. I felt great, with the exception of my baby soft feet. I hope my feet will be good to me this coming Saturday during my solo 100 mile run, and not blistering too early in my run. I'm very excited, but nervous, which is a good thing. I will post pictures next week after my run, but in the meantime, send happy thoughts this coming weekend!

August 14, 2005

I'm back training, well trying to get back, and feel so good to be on the nice soft dirt trails again. I'm only focusing on my 100 mile solo and hope my feet will get a little tougher. After today's run, I got blisters from the skin being so raw, but as always, I will have to just bite the bullet in my 100 mile solo! I've only run once since July 13th, and will try to get in another run or two so I can feel confident for a 100 mile run, yeah! Pictures will be posted after my run on the 27th, and please support me in raising money and bringing awareness to a great cause, The Chase Foundation. Read more on my charity page. I am so happy to run for the Chase Foundation, it means so much to me...

August 9, 2005

I just got back from 11 days in Hawaii, and realized, I don't know how to "just chill"...I like this about me!

I had to go to Hawaii for my son's water polo tournament, yes I had to go, actually I couldn't wait to see my son compete against in this caliber...My sons team came in 3rd place and my son was on the cover of the Maui News sports page. What a great time we had, and here are a few pictures...of course of my feet, because they were still not recovered from Badwater. I tried to run, but they are like little soft baby feet, and so soft, YUK! I thought this was a message to me, and actually relaxed and did nothing but lie out in my new bathing suits, work out with the other moms one day, and just had fun. I felt "un" normal, I need to run! There are more pictures on my "photo gallery" of all my bathing suits (if you're bored and lonely) and due to popular demand, I put some pictures of my Badwater 292 mile race I ran in 2001, on "photo gallery"!


My feet 1 month after Badwater		My son playing in Hawaii	The Team!
		More pictures from Hawaii on "Photo Gallery" page
My son's team beat Maui!	My boys and I

July 25, 2005

The week ahead is busy and I'm starting to come down from my Badwater high! Bummer ): Life is back to normal...This week I will get my film ready for my editor, prep my book to take and try to finish while I'm in Hawaii, finalize all permits and insurance for my 100 mile solo run and now for some exciting news...today, I saw that my grape vineyards are ready, I need to plan on my first crop. They are beautiful, full, and the colors are vibrant. Since I went out there today and looked at them a million times, I realized this is a major project that I have in store for me. I'm so excited to learn more about winemaking and even more excited to share with friends my first bottle of Cabernet and Pinot Noir. For now, I need a vacation and will be in Hawaii from July 29th until August 9th. My son has a tournament, and we will throw in some time to relax. I will train while I'm there and I hope by this weekend, I will be able to put on a shoe, so far only sandals because my feet are still healing from the blisters. My next great story that I will post will be about my solo 100 mile run, a first for me. I have never ran 100 miles with no competition or race, let alone a finishers medal, so I'm sure this will be a challenge. I have a great crew coming out to be part of this, and if you are interested in making a donation or pacing me, contact me. I'm running my first solo 100 mile run to raise money for a very special charity, The Chase Foundation and you can read more about The Chase Foundation under "charity. For now, stay healthy, happy, and reach for the stars... You can contact me while I'm away via email or my 800-96-A-New-U toll free number...Aloha

July 17, 2005

This time last week, I was thinking about what my race was going to be like. I put all the thoughts of where I struggled when I ran Badwater in 2001, and worked through them in my mind, and it worked. When I got to Panamint Springs this time, I felt great, well I had 72 miles on my legs and just got done hammering a 14 mile downhill, but in 2001, I wanted to quit at this point. My other least favorite stretch is from Darwin to Lone Pine, mile 90 to mile 124 and it's just this long, boring, straight highway. I wanted to see a corner, a tree, anything significant where I could put in my mind that I had "X" amount of miles to go. I knew Keeler was mile 108, so that helped, but this stretch is just so tedious on the mind, and this time I loved it as I ran it Tuesday afternoon into the evening with Jorge pacing me. I love my buckle, I am looking for a cool belt to put it on, and have not let it out of my sight...I am now getting ready for my 100 mile solo run that I will be running August 27, 2005. I'm trying to raise 100,00.00 for charity this year, and my solo run is for the Chase Foundation, if you'd like you can read more on this great cause on my charity page. I have 3 more 100 mile runs this year, and next year I have even bigger goals. I will attempt next year, what I planned this year with running Western States 100 mile, in June, Badwater 135 mile in July, and Tevis the 100 mile horse race in July. This year the rains would not allow me to qualify with the 3 50 miler endurance horse races required. I will also include cycling events, and all I ask is that I stay injury free and raise a lot of money for those who are less fortunate and have even greater struggles in life...I sit here today and I can't believe my body feels this good, nothing hurts and the blisters are healing great. I had edema or just swollen ankles for the first 2 days, but I can now see my ankle bones, no more "cankles" for me! My joints, muscles, and bones are feeling fresh, no soreness or lactic acid and I will start to train for the 100 miler next week. I finally caught up on my sleep with 17 hours on Friday night and 13 hours Saturday night, so I'm back in business...If you are interested in making a donation or would like more information on my 100 mile solo charity run, please contact me. I will be posting Badwater pictures this week...Thanks to all of you for supporting me and sending happy thoughts along the way. The best part of my Badwater race, is now I see my 70 mile Western States pull, as just a great training 70 mile training run for Badwater!

July, 2005

Here are some pictures from my

Badwater 135 mile race...


Picking up my race bib	Monica Scholz (my hero) and I, cutting our shoes	My feet before Badwater	The pre race meeting, Pam Reed is camera right

My one crew van and crew, check out my sponsors, gotta luv em!	The start of the 135 mile race, do I looked scared?	What an amazing crew I had...	A long and lonely highway

My crew at work	Jorge changing my socks...	Jorge keeping me cool...	Did I tell you, I love my crew???

Jorge made me pass all these people, he was so mean to me...	Keeping cool in DV, you go girl!	Here I am with my friend and course record holder. Scott Jurek	Here I am with Pam Reed, record holder and awesome chic!

Mari is the best...Who am I...I even scare myself sometimes...	a mommy's gotta do, what a mommy's gotta do...and that's pop blisters	Thank god it cooled down at 5 pm...	Mari and I heading into Stove Pipe Wells, mile 42, we were having fun!

Just running in good ol' DV...	Mari kept me moving...	Blisters came around mile 40, so we had to start with full on blister treatment at SPW, mile 42, but I'm a happy camper still...	Not a happy camper, mile 70ish, 3 am...this isn't Kansas or Hidden Hills, send me home!

I'm better now, thank you Gloria for changing my mood, I love running under the star lit night...	See that road behind us, that was a 14 mile downhill and a 17 mile up hill on the other side...ouch	Mile 80ish with Mari	Don't look at signs or mileage, you're better off! Love those headwinds...

Mile 90 checkpoint... Do I look fat? I feel fat, maybe it's the salt...	Jorge gets me back on track at mile 100	My husband and son were there to greet me at mile 110, thank you for the comfort...	Nice feet! Just a couple blisters and some second skin that melted into my own skin since the ground temps were 180...

My crew let me sleep for 2 minutes since I saw the cowboy (only I saw him) and covered me with shirts so I wouldn't get hypothermia as I climb the Whitney Portals, mile 128, 4 am	Gloria looking for me to reach the portals...love those 13 miles of switchbacks to the 8,000 elevation finish!	My crew an I run to the finish of the 135 mile Badwater race!!!!	Is this a dream?

Cherish the finisher's medal...	Brag about the blistered feet...	Capture the moment of earning a "sub 48 hour finisher's Badwater buckle"...	This is your feet on BADWATER!

I don't want to say, but I think I'm the only "carpool mom" in the 818, 213, 310, 805, 619 and then some, who owns a "Badwater sub 48 hour finishers buckle"...so what does that mean???

July 14, 2005

I buckled at Badwater!!! Yes, I am so happy.

47 hours and 6 minutes, 10th female...

Badwater has a 60 hour cut off time, and all finishers will receive a Badwater medal...but sub 48 hour finishers will receive a medal and the oh so wonderful "Badwater sub 48 hour finishers buckle", and now I have one to add to my collection. I had such a great race, but I owe it all to my most incredible crew. I fell in love a million times these past few days with people who are so incredibly loving and gifted. I had Jorge Pacheco as my pacer, you might now who he is, and if you do, just like me, you are a lucky person...He has won Angeles Crest 100 mile endurance run the past 3 years, came in 2nd overall at Western States in 2003, is known to be one of the world's best ultra marathon runners, and while we were out running in Death Valley a full page story featuring Jorge was in the Los Angeles Times. He ran with me for at least 60 miles and he made sure I came home with a buckle, I mean I already have a Badwater medal from 2001, now it was buckle time! He pushed me when I wanted to quit, he gave me strategy when my mind was shot after running the first day in the 125 degree heat. I passed out after we left Stovepipe Wells (mile 42) and it was Jorge who I wanted to see when I first came to. He made me feel very comfortable and safe and this is important when you are feeling very uncomfortable and unsure when you take your body through 135 miles of heat, pavement, mountainous climbs, sleep deprivation and so on, doesn't the race sound fun? Well it is, and you have to expect a lot of pain in the race and understand how to deal with this when it happens, and try to prevent it from happening, which in Badwater, pain happens. He told me today how he's never seen anyone so tough and how I'm his hero for doing this race when he saw the pain in my eyes and knew when I wanted to quit, but he also knew I wouldn't. I also had his wife Mari, who was also pacing me and so experienced as crew from crewing Jorge in all his races. She took care of me just like a mommy and even put Desitin on my inner thighs so I wouldn't rash, who does that for a friend??? She came to me during the race with a variety of foods and all the necessary liquids I needed to finish. She paced me almost 40 miles and we had so much fun, she somehow knew to distract my mind from feeling the race. I don't think I could have done so well without these two, and I will never forget them for this. I had 2 crew rookies and this was brave of me to take on crew who have never done this, especially at Badwater. First there was Gloria who works at a local running store a 3:17 marathoner and I knew she would be excited and willing to be part of the crew. She turned out to be amazing and I couldn't believe how she picked up on everything so quickly. She even knew as we were approaching the finish line, just 11 miles away, how to be a little tough and make sure I was on track to get that buckle. I am so impressed with her, I just had no idea she would be this good as crew. She only wanted to run with me during the race, so I had to give her a nice downhill section of the race. Gloria ran with me from mile 57, just before midnight and ran with me down Townes Pass, a nice downhill into Panamint Springs, she set such a good pace and we hammered that as the night was lit up with so many stars and got in to Panamint Springs, mile 72 ahead of schedule. I will never forget when I passed out and how she drew on each water bottle little things to make me laugh and smile...Then there was Dr Lin, who also blew me away with his incredible crewing. He was so happy to be part of my team, and at first I was a bit nervous, since he's never done this, let alone never ran a marathon. He was so awesome with his team participation and having him there to take care of the little (big) aches and pains whether it was noon or 3 in the morning, was a blessing. He brought me up Towne's Pass for a bit, told me stories to keep me moving and not think about what's in store. I saw that he really wanted to be there, and this made me feel good. He was very beneficial in getting me to the finish line and even learned so quickly how to lie to a runner...for instance, when I had nothing left, it was the wee hours of the morning, and so fatigued, all I wanted from my crew was that they would let me sleep for 2 minutes, just 2 minutes, I knew I would feel great after this...so they did, and how he figured out to tell me that I slept for 20, when I only slept for 2, just blows me away, he knew that if I thought 20 minutes, that's it, no more down time for me...so off I went. The first night I had only slept for 15 minutes and the second night only 2 minutes, and that was because I saw a cowboy, with a hat, propping his leg up, and then I saw a few other people outside of their house, the only thing wrong, there was no house, no cowboy and no people, so they knew 2 minutes was needed, plus at this point I had nothing left, my legs felt as if they were going to lock up, I had over 120 miles on my legs and I was just so tired. I believe he learned a lot these 2 days, and I learned a lot about how generous people are and what a gift it is to know them. My last, but not least crew member was Deb, who I run with a lot and just knows me better than anyone. She has crewed me in races, and I felt comfortable with her from the start. She's an awesome climber so she also brought me up Towne's Pass, a 17 mile up hill. She has a heart of gold and only wanted me to be safe and have a great run. Both her and Dr LIn were great, considering their medical background, and Deb knew the signs when I was starting to get bad and definitely prevented bad experiences just by knowing me and my signs. I am so lucky to have shared this experience with this group, I couldn't have done it without them and I will never forget this time and race. I still think of Jorge and I going up to the portals and how bad I felt, all he wanted me to do was to be okay and both him and Mari told me how sad they were to see me like this. Mari questions why I want to do this when I have such a beautiful life at home and I told her, I love to run these races, just like her and Jorge do, and to me how boring would life be, if you didn't have a passion and challenge your body, your mind and just see what you are capable of doing in life...Honestly, I never thought I could get a buckle from this race, and now look, so what does this mean?? This just gives me ground for an ever bigger challenge! I've already doubled this race, and now I will want to better my times...

My husband and son came out when I was approaching mile 110 and hung out, crewed, made sure I was okay, and my son stayed until 2:00 am helping crew, well that and looking for scorpions. I had such a great time out there, even though I went through many lulls, but came back so strong from each down point. I climbed the last 13 miles, up to the Mt. Whitney portals, over 8,000 feet and relentless switchbacks in under 5 hours. My stomach only got bad in the beginning and I think that I was trying to get in as many calories, knowing that my stomach might say "no more food" at mile 90 or so, so I might of put too much too soon in, and threw up a little, but got my stomach back just to pass out from the intense 125 degree heat, about 30 miles later. My feet are very bad, I got blisters at Stovepipe Wells (mile 42), and I took care of them with draining and second skin, but little did I know the second would melt into my skin from the 180 ground temps, and now I have second skin that attached itself to my skin, and it hurts. That was just the beginning with blisters, not much longer each toe, heel, balls of my feet and sides had blisters and bloody. I took care of them and just bit the bullet...I only had the cowboy hallucination, but freaked out a little bit going into Lone Pine, I thought someone was chasing us and it put me in a weird place for a while, but with everything else in this race, hard times go away, just for others to come, and as long as you can understand that this race is not easy and you will hurt, you will do fine here and the feeling of finishing Badwater is incredible, but to get the sub 48 hour buckle is unforgettable. I will post pictures shortly, I'm still unpacking my crew vans and back to my" just a mom" life, you know carpooling the kids to summer school, the market, taking them to their sport practices, making dinners, and how I appreciate this, let me tell you! I want to thank my sponsors, BankCardUSA, Energizer, and UNDER ARMOUR, their support is greatly appreciated! I was interviewed by a television crew and I will keep you updated, they were really interested in my feet after the finish.

You can view some pictures from the race if you go to their web site www.badwaterultra.com I was in the 8 am start group, race bib #15. Here are a few pictures of me. 1- Pre race meeting, row 5 and 6 (next to Pam Reed), I have a VanHalen shirt on, of course. 2- Runner Mug Shots race bib #15. 3- The 6 am Start line (I started at 8am) pink Shirt on end. 4- 8:00am start group and on road, row 6 & 7. 5- Furnace Creek to Stovepipe Wells, row 4 is my crew, row 6 & 7. 6- Towne's Pass to Panamint Springs, row 4 this was about 3 in the morning. 7- Lone Pine and Portal Part 2, 1st picture. 8- Finishers under Farar-Griefer, row 7 & 8. I will be posting my shots soon...

July 9, 2005

Off to run "Badwater" the 135 Death Valley Race. Follow me on the live web cast @ www.badwaterultra.com. Race Bib #15

July 3, 2005

Okay so I went on a nice run today, only about 10 miles, just a recovery/maintenance run and I finally feel over the Western States DNF (I'm really not, it takes about 20-100 years or a next "most incredible" race to recover form a DNF). I know there's bigger problems in this world, and not that I only ran 70 miles of the 100 miles I was planned, but not only does the not finishing hurt, and the time, the sacrifice to my family, commitment to myself, but the commitment to my charities that I run 100 miles, yes 100 miles, not 70 miles to raise money and bring awareness for those who can't quit at anytime when things go wrong...Just for the record, I didn't quit, I couldn't go on with my weight gain and stomach problems, I would have ended up in a bad palace, and I've been there, the medical team knew this and so did I. I want the children that I run for to try so hard as I do, and I know their situation is a lot different, but the bottom line is, "never give up" and that's what I will do in my next race in just one week. I feel so good about the Badwater 135 and I know I will hurt, but again, I will think of the special kids that I run for. Please follow me at www.badwaterultra.com (#15) and help me to reach my goal of raising 100,000.00 this year.

June 26, 2005

Shown here at mile 55, where the problems started, I was up 5 lbs so they had to draw blood. It was too bad because my legs felt great, even with all the snow we had to run through.

I'm back form the Western States 100 mile endurance run, where I was pulled at mile 70 due to a increase in weight and stomach problems. The day started out ok with the exception of "mother nature" and the, not so great part of being a woman, 20 minutes before the start, real bad timing, if you know what I mean, but I guess I'm lucky my body is like clock work... we had to start out in snow until Little Bald Mt, which is almost 30 miles on the course. By then my shoes were wet, my feet were soggy, I had cramps, but I had to continue on. The day was beautiful and I was lucky to be here. The snowy start, which turned into sunshine and snow capped mountains were picturesque. I was ahead of each cut off by at least and hour and a half and would pass runners little by little. I felt better than last year, but this time we had an abundance of snow where we would actually have to slide down on our butts, and hold on to snow and branches to climb up trails. I started to feel nauseous after 24 miles, but that went away quickly just for the new challenges to begin. At mile 55, I was up 5 lbs and immediately after the weigh in I was taken to the medical team where they drew blood. After a needle poking, and a cup of soup with a teaspoon of salt to increase the urination, I was ok to continue on, but in my mind I knew something wasn't right. I got to mile 62, with swollen fingers, bloody and blistered feet, but just like last year, Gillian took care of my feet. I was off with my pacer into the mountains in the cold, darkness and still 5 lbs up. My stomach at this point had already quit the race, and I knew I couldn't continue without calories, but had to anyway, I was there to run 100 miles. At mile 65, again I was given soup again with a ton of salt to hopefully entice the body to urinate. I thought I was doing so, but my stomach wanted to throw up any food or drink I put in. I knew the next 35 miles were going to be challenging, throwing up and remembered last year when I threw up in the beginning and knew I could recover. The night was cold, my mind was feeling the challenge, my feet were taped and hurting, my body felt weak, the cramps would come and go and very strong when they were with me, but these are the challenges of ultra running and I knew this, which allowed me to go on. I saw the faces of other runners as we would pass, and they too were feeling their own struggles. I left mile 65 and threw up once, felt better, yet had no idea this was the start of something else. I would have to stop to throw up the only food I had and the Vivarin I needed to stay awake. My pacer Janet only wanted to have a great run as we did last year, she understood and took care of my needs. We got to mile 70 in the middle of nowhere. I had to sit to see if I could eat. I was up more than the original 5 lbs at this point, but you would think "weight loss", considering I had nothing in my stomach. I tried to eat, even drink and this wouldn't happen, my body was done. I had an hour and a half to the cut off time, so I thought I will try to recover and then put something in my body and go on. The medial team would make sure I was ok trying to put in calories, soup, water, anything...I couldn't, but instead just threw up on the cot, and at 2:14 am, with 60 seconds till cut off and over an hour of trying to recover, I was told I have 1 minute to recover...My body threw up the water and soup that was given to me and then my wrist band was cut...I was done...I watched other runners come in late to the cut off and others needing help. I lied on the cot covered in blankets, with chills and a dying stomach and heart, but in my mind I couldn't have continued on for 30 more miles with nothing in me. Two hours later and after the aid station was closed down I was taken to the finish line watching the sub 24 hour runners come in and then I went to my hotel room to sleep. The hardest part is waking up knowing I didn't finish. I had my family there and that was the best part since they saw me at mile 55 and at 62. They knew at mile 62, the night was not in my favor, and worried about me. Well, now it's time for Badwater in 2 weeks, and the feet will be ready, the mind is always ready and now the body has a nice 70 mile training run on it...I feel bad for my friend Jorge who also had a bad day, even though he was in the top 3 for most of the race, but his body quit at mile 80...He will pace me at Badwater and we can talk about our Western States woos...Life goes on, it's just a race and I have many more to conquer! Soon the pictures from the race will be up at the web site www.ws100.com and I will post some as well. Thank you to everyone who made a donation to my charity and this is the what hurt the most, that I wasn't able to finish this 100 for you, but I promise I will finish strong at Badwater, and more important the kids I run for is that they finish strong in their challenges!

June 20, 2005

If you wonder why most of my updates are usually on the weekends and if I run during the week, I do but not like most ultra runners, mostly with my running group that I started here in my community, and I try to squeeze in a long run mid week. I find it tough to train during the week only because I'm pretty involved with my kids, charity, animals, book and film, but somehow seem to make it all work. I leave on Wednesday the 22nd to go to the Western States 100 mile run, which starts on Saturday, 5:00 am. You can follow me at www.ws100.com and under "where's my runner" I'm bib #44, so send me happy thoughts! If and when you wake up in the wee hours of Sunday morning, say 3, 4 or 5 am, just know I will still be running and most likely asking myself "why" and when I think of the children that I run for, I seem to find strength to finish...What I wish for at those wee hours, is to see sunrise...

June 18, 2005

Taper time feels great, although I'm biting at the bit, and want to be 70 miles into the race already...Today I just ran with my dog Shelby for about 6 miles and pooped her out. We ran 2 days ago and did 5 miles, she is my running partner in training. She's only 6 months, 70 lbs, and loves to run. I'm breaking her in easy and will post pictures of her next time. She's awesome!

June 12, 2005

Jorge, Mari and I went up to the Angeles Crest mountains, and did hill repeats up Mt. Williamson at 8,214 feet elevation. 2 miles up and hammer the quads2 miles down. We did this quite a few times, and the quads feel great and ready for Western. We hammered the last 2 mile downhill repeat in 12 minutes...Probably not real smart considering we have a 100 miler in a couple weeks, but it was fun. Jorge spotted a mountain lion, but unfortunately Mari and I missed out on seeing him, I'm sure he saw us though.

June 4, 2005

Went to run a 20 mile training run up Bulldog, but took a nasty fall 5 miles into the run and was full of blood and the body felt beat up, but I still continued on. Ended up only doing 15, more for the fact I had my sons water polo game and I didn't want to go looking like a bloody and beat ultra runner, so I cut my run short and I'm sure it's best this close to the race.

"An Ultra Runner's weekend job"

In other words, training for my next 100 mile run!

Starting with Saturday, May 28th and working (the legs) the entire Memorial weekend...

Don't feel sorry for us though!

May 29, 2005

Another day at the office...

Today we ran from where we left off yesterday at mile 62, and ran 19 miles to the American river. I will run this stretch at night, so seeing the trails in daylight is very helpful, not a place you want to get lost during the night...


First wake up and gotta stretch... (Simon from Tanzania)	Sometimes there's traffic...	I love my office, it has a view to die for....	There's always those one or two snakes around the office...

Time for the morning coffee (GU20) break....	Back to Work	The girls at the office are pretty cool...today was casual Sunday... (Deb, Catra and I)	Jorge Pacheco has what I want, but he works a lot harder than I do...
The boss and the employee of the month! (Jorge 2005 entrant and Greg race director)		.

May 28, 2005

Over 200 runners started around mile 30 something on the course, the first 20 plus miles had too much snow. We ran to mile 62 of the course, this was our 30 mile training run.


Entrance to the office...	Corporate meeting...	With over 200 employees, our shuttle to the office...	Another day, another dollar...

Working hard today putting in all these hours...	There's paparazzi in every business...	Just a hurtle at the office, I can handle it...	Our lunches don't really come with an Italian or French flair, but when was the last time you had a PB&J on white bread...

Deb and I hob nobbing with the execs in the office.... (Deb, my crew, Tim who has over 20 finishes, me, and Jorge who placed 2nd overall in 2003)	Showing a few battle scars from all the hard work I do, it's never appreciated though....	Another hurtle, but this time it's big...	I won the annual "wet T-Shirt" contest at the office, maybe I'll get promoted...
			Western States 100 mile Ultra Marathon Memorial Training Clinic - what a great place to work, and the big pay off is on June 26th when I receive another 100 mile "finishers" belt buckle!
We're remodeling...	Does it seem like the corporate world consists of 20 and 30 year olds these days? (all 3 of us are running this year, it will be Michelle's (right) 1st)

May 25, 2005

Just got back from the High School Swim Banquet and my son got Most Outstanding JV Swimmer, aka MVP, he also got MVP in water polo earlier this year! Not too bad his freshman year and first year playing both sports.

May 17, 2005

Bunco was at my house this month, and we had fun...playing Bunco, making smores at my fire pit, then playing pool past midnight.

May 12, 2005

Deb and I planned on a 20 mile run from my house through Ahmanson to Chesbro and back. We cut it short by 2 miles since Deb was just getting over the flu, so only 18 miles. We ran out of water the last 5 miles, it was hotter than we thought...

May 10, 2005

Deb and I having fun during a Tuesday run. Meryl ran with us also.

April 30, 2005

Deb Clem and I ran the Bulldog 50k race course, minus 1 mile. We started out with a guy name Dan, an ironman triathlete who was training for the Mailbu Creek Challenge, a 14 mile race on May 7th. He hung out with us for a while, picked my brain about running ultras and then he took off. Deb and I had dropped water and food earlier that morning at the halfway point, mile 15 and couldn't ask for a better day with the weather. A 30 mile training run, and I felt good the entire time, well, with the exception of my nagging heel and ankle from my injury last fall.

April 24, 2005

Our first official 2005 summer BBQ with our neighbors and friends, the Moriarety's and VanHalens

Pictures will be posted shortly

April 23, 2005

A group of us ran 17 miles, but I forgot my camera, sorry!

APRIL 19, 2005

Cory Everson and I

Speaking to the
Sorpotimist Club

My latest infomercial with
Bruce and Chris Jenner

My dogs Vock and Shelby, who is now 4 months old and 60 lbs, she is my "soon to be" training partner.

APRIL 16, 2005
Deb Clem and I running Bulldog, my training grounds for Western States 100...I found time to stop and take pictures of the spring flowers. I love to hammer the down hills here to get the quads ready for my favorite 100 miler, Western States! Just a 15 mile training run today.

April 2, 2005

I ran with my friend Meryl in her first 50 mile run. It was great to see how tough she is. I know she probably hated me a few times during the day when I pushed her, but when she finished, she was the happiest person ever! She is an awesome runner...

My friend Jorge Pacheco who is seen to the left of me in the first picture, he won the Avalon 50 mile race.

Meryl (right) and I (above)
at mile 43

I like to collect medals, ribbons and belt buckles and now I have another medal to add to my collection! I love the last 4 miles, they are all downhill and if you ran a smart race, you can hammer this!

March 12, 2005

Way Too Cool 50k - A great training run and fun mud run- pictures will be posted soon.

March 6, 2005

The LA Marathon - I ran with 10 people who I trained in my running group and all 10 finished! - I ran the entire 26 miles with Mari who was doing her first marathon and her son flew out from Boston to watch his mom run. He ran the last 3 miles with us, I'll never forget that moment. Pictures can be seen on my Passions page- we are all wearing Energizer shirts, we definitely kept the spirit "keep going"!

February 19, 2005

Picture 1 - Western States Training Camp Tim, Shannon, Jorge and Greg (race director)

Picture 2 - Here I am finishing the 20 mile training run, a bit muddy, but that's what it's all about in my sport!

February 5, 2005

My first race of the year - A 100 mile run in Texas. Pictures will be added soon, but you can see a few pictures from the race on my Photo Gallery page.