Tumbleweeds make great Christmas trees...

But you have to wear ski gloves when decorating. Ouch. Ready for the fam to arrive!

Tuesday...

Tuesdays are wonderful because the day starts with a group of fab ladies (and Phil and Chase) running and yogaing with the sunrise. Lululemon I love you!

FAROLITO 5K

A luminaria, or farolito, is a small paper lantern which is of significance in New Mexico at Christmas time.  In Spanish, the word "farolito" translates as "little lantern," and "luminaria" means "festival light."

A great evening spent running a 5K through the streets lit only by sunset and luminarias.  Wrapped as a present....

Trial for the Trials

The Olympic Trials Marathon qualifying standard for 2016 was released the other day.  For 2012, the "A" standard was 2:39, which has now dropped to 2:37.  The 2012 "B" standard was 2:46, and has now dropped to 2:43.  6:19 pace down to 6:13 pace.  Not an unexpected drop for the standard, but still changes the game a bit.  Do-able?  Well, the window opens August 1st, 2013, and stays open until thirty days before the Trials.  Lots of work to do!

Trust the process I suppose.  Believe.

The Streets of Philadelphia

#redefinepossible

Nothing like your mom helping you put your pants on.

Happy day.

Happy miles.

Thankful for family and friends that help make my crazy dream a reality. 

Lots of love.

"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement.  It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible." -John Hanc

Besties.  Liz and Jo (who rocked the half!)

Happy.  2:50:12 (6:29pace), 2:45 second improvement.

Post-race Maine Atlantic ice bath.

Now it's time to look onwards.  See ya'll in Boston :)

The List

Got this list earlier, which made my day brighter!

Ten reasons you're going to crush it this weekend...
1.) your attitude
2.) your speed work
3.) you live at 5,000 feet or something
4.) you've done this before
5.) your nutrition is perfected
6.) you're going to run your race
7.) you ain't scared of anyone
8.) you've put plenty of mileage into your training
9.) you know how to breathe
10.) you know how to finish strong

Maybe I need to write these things on my arm in Sharpie as reminders...

And the ten-day says...

Perfection!

Attack of the Yucca

Tuesday morning I was running with Lululemon friends, and with true grace, managed to be attacked by a yucca plant.  Or I attacked it, not really sure which.  But I'm just going to rule that I am the victim here, since the yucca still stands.

Anyway, the yucca pierced through my beloved Kinvaras, beneath my lateral malleolus and into the tendons and muscles of my lateral foot.  Two days later, it hurts to walk, flex or rotate my foot.  Hot to the touch, tender, palpable, but not fluctuant.  Also, I have a cankle (for those of you that don't know, it's as if your calf and ankle become one).  Of course, still running, but there's nothing wrong with a little blood flow going through it, right?

Cactus or yucca that pierce the skin to any depth can introduce bacteria to the body, and can cause infection.  I've decided it's infected, and VERY annoying.  If the pain starts shooting up my leg, I may get worried.  Until then, antibiotics and patience!  Uggh.

PUMPKIN PUMPKIN EVERYWHERE

Pumpkin everything is out and about (including grande soy double pump triple shot pumpkin spice lattes).  

Try these delicious muffins from THE LOUD AND CLEAR...Thanks Kim!

http://theloudandclear.com/2012/10/10/nourished-noshing-pumpkin/#comment-1488

Sneaky dentists

"The marathon, no matter where it takes place, remains, as ever, a solitary pursuit in which every runner ultimately competes against himself or herself. Whatever drove Kip Litton (the dentist!) was an entirely different battle with himself, one that quite possibly escaped his understanding. One thing, though, he grasped perfectly. Like the most dazzling of magicians or the most artful of art forgers, by withholding the secret of how the illusion worked he retained a power uniquely his own: the spoils of his humiliation, perhaps, but a knowledge that no one was about to take away."

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/08/06/120806fa_fact_singer#ixzz28IcTVFPi

The Honorable Clan

"Nonrunners often imagine that people can cover 26.2 miles only because they have lean, muscled legs and a highly developed cardiovascular system. Nothing could be further from the truth. The runner’s most important organ, by far, is the brain — the source of our dreams, drive and determination. " -Burfoot and Hirsch

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/sports/essay-the-honorable-clan-of-the-long-distance-runner.html?emc=eta1

Wise words shared by a wise friend...

"Nietzsche was the one who did the job for me. At a certain moment
in his life, the idea came to him of what he called "the love of your
fate." Whatever your fate is, whatever the hell happens, you say,
"This is what I need." It may look like a wreck, but go at it as
though it were an opportunity, a challenge. If you bring love to that
moment - not discouragement - you will find the strength is there. Any
disaster you can survive is an improvement in your character, your
stature, and your life. What a privilege! This is when the spontaneity
of your own nature will have a chance to flow.
   Then, when looking back at your life, you will see that the moments
which seemed to be great failures followed by wreckage were the
incidents that shaped the life you have now. You'll see that this is
really true. Nothing can happen to you that is not positive. Even
though it looks and feels at the moment like a negative crisis, it is
not. The crisis throws you back, and when you are required to exhibit
strength, it comes. " -Joseph Campbell

Olympic spirit

"I honestly haven't felt that kind of pain since I pushed out a baby." - Kara Goucher, on her 11th place finish in today's Olympic marathon.  

Shalane and Kara, training partners and friends, inspiring all the way through 26.2.   

Yesterday, at the Beach to Beacon 10K, I was able to race with my best friend, former training partner, roommate, twelve-season college teammate and co-captain, Jessica Minty.  This was the first race we competed in together since 2006, Colby College outdoor track.  We’ve been through different states, relationships, apartments, jobs, and teams.  After all this time, it’s like nothing has ever changed.   

Here we are representing the Saucony Hurricanes and New Balance Boston. 

Effort

Woke up to find this gem on the internet today!  How fitting :)  Thanks Saucony!

The first day of the rest of your life.

Whoa.  Much has happened over the last two weeks.  Apologies.  Here's a brief run-down of excuses for my absence (and very little running!)...graduation from my one-year residency program, losing six of my closest ABQ/dental friends to the far reaches of the US (AK, WV, NE, WY, CA, WA), sharing my 700sq ft, one bedroom apartment, with my sister and parents for a week (and, because they love me, allowing them to unpack the mayhem of the recent move), celebrations (for anything and everything), eating, traveling, sangria, 100+ degree weather, no sleep.  And lastly packing my grandparents house, full of memories, that they've lived in for the last 32 years, where I spent close to a month every summer at "Camp Spoil."  A few weeks with lots of change and emotion.  

And today...the first day in the real world.  Had to have sunrise coffee out of my new lucky mug from a close friend.  I suppose it worked, since it was a good day.  Let's roll.  

Treadmill appreciation

Coming from Boston and the East Coast, the electronic running beast was meant for winter time.  Fifteen below zero days and multiple feet of snow meant hours cruising along indoors.  Coming to ABQ, I never thought I'd need to use it.  But as temps are reaching closer to triple digits, and with the sun not setting until 8pm, I've developed a new appreciation for the monotony, consistant pacing, and the air conditioning.  Plus, I can read some pretty good books on the Kindle at the same time :)

Good workout today I suppose, much better than I would have been able to do outside at 4pm.  Because you're speed is at your fingertips, I was able to consistently drop the pace during an hour progression run without "regressing," and slowing down.  Well, until a point, with about one mile to go, when the belt couldn't keep up anymore and kept stuttering...attesting to the age of this mill, and maybe a little wear and tear over the hour!

Here's a little article on the pros and cons of treadmill running.  It has a place!  

Long run

Two Kinvaras and a Guide head out for a long run.  Lovely 18 mile morning.  

Here's a quick article on the long run, why and how.  

"The Long View"  

Lance say it ain't so!

Under fire once again...

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/13/sport/armstrong-doping-allegations/
"Unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one," Armstrong said on his website. "That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence." -Lance on doping allegations.  

Good quote

Saw this quote today.  Made me happy.
"I'm not the most talented.  I don't have the most speed.  I don't have the most endurance.  I just train hard, and keep moving." -Khadevis Robinson (800m PB 1:43.68)

In other news, long trail run this past Sunday.  Went on an adventure to find the giant metal yucca sculpture.  Starting to need/want a good pair of trail shoes.  Love my Guide 5s, but traction is needed in this dry desert!

Taos adventures

Spent half the weekend camping in Taos with the dental crew.  Tons of dust, s'mores, Polish bevs, and good times.  Great solo run from our campsite at the canyon base to the crest of the ridge, and along the grasslands above.  Adventures with good friends :)

Crest of the canyon

Sunset

Finally cool enough for fire!

Playing in the river

Best fridge ever...

Full of my fave coconut water, C2O. Generally better unit price and (I think) better tasting than the other brands. Plus, the can is bigger!

NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!

Today is National Running Day, celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in June.  

http://www.runningday.org/celebrate/10-ways-to-celebrate-national-running-day

Start of ABQ summer

Too many good things this weekend...

Friday night: procrastination, wine, and movie night with Dr. Kate (we were supposed to write a five page paper about our feelings...not fun)...

Saturday: Early morning cycle from 6,000ft ABQ to Sandia Peak at close to 11,000 ft (rocked the Saucony arm sleeves)...53+ miles round trip on a beautiful day, highlight being the 14miles back down the mountain, riding the brakes, and still hitting 30mph...epic nap...all-you-can eat Sushi and la Cumbre brewery Sat night.

Sunday: Longish run with the Dukes, breakfast at Flying Star with the sweaty crew, pedicure with my ladies (and harassment for the calluses, which I kindly trimmed with scissors beforehand!), BBQ high in the East Mountains with the UNM attendings and residents...great food, company, and full moon rise in the East.  

Skymall

Two of my favorite SkyMall items...Protein Ketchup and spray hair.  Amazing products.  Thanks Southwest.

pay-off

Showed up at the USATF Minnesota 5K championships.  When Katie McGregor and Emily Brown of TeamUSA MN show up, you know you're in a field way out of your league!  Managed 7th in a competitive field, actually racing ladies and not racing my watch.

Crossed the line in 18:02.
A little sad until seeing...CHIP TIME 17:59.49.
Road PR!

More exciting for me was that
a) my 5K overall PR is from six years ago, on a track, as a college college athlete, at 17:58.
b) this is the closest I've come to that PR by thirty seconds.
c) that was six years ago.
d) this is only the second time I've broken 18min.

A lot has happened for me in six years in terms of body fluctuations, running sabbaticals, race distances, and training philosophies (aka pushing more body weight, running on and off, switching from 5ks to marathons, maxing at 35mi/wk then to 90+ now).  It's fun to see results from hard work.

Feeling healthier, stronger, faster, and more confident in 2012 than in 2006...excited!

Cranky track

A short workout fell apart quickly today. Maybe overdid it a little this past weekend...was post marathon stiff legs sore. 15min w/u, 2x8min repeats at 5k pace, sandwiched with 6x100m strides and 15min c/d. 6:27 mile splits...really??? Off to sea level and a 5k, that should be faster than that!!!

Jemez Mountain Half-Marathon

Caballo Peak in Los Alamos

Start of the 50 mile race

4:45 am Saturday: Watched the start of an ultra for the first time.  Fifty miles up and down a few moutains.  Pitch black, cold, headlamps, Vaseline, the best attitudes I've seen at a race start.  Asked nicely if there were any drop-outs in the half marathon, which had been sold out for months.  Was told to come back for race start at 8am.  Hour nap, back to the start.  13.7mi, 2:09.  So challenging, but so amazing.  

Los Alamos is a captivating town.  It's history is short.  Previously home to the Los Alamos Ranch School for boys, founded in 1917, the US Department of Defense selected the town for the Manhattan Project in WWII, and overtook the area.  All information, including the inhabitants and their roles, were classified until the Project was completed in 1963.  People would tell their families they were traveling, moving, or would just disappear.  Los Alamos was selected both for its geographic protection, anonymity, and its natural beauty, which was hoped to inspire those working on the project.  In July of 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped in the desert in NM.  One month later, Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped in Japan.  The town remains home to the Los Alamos Laboratories, one of four national labs.  Most recently, Los Alamos has been afflicted by fires.  In 2000, the Cerro Grande Fire was started as a controlled burn in uncontrollable winds and high drought conditions.  Over 400 families lost their homes and everything they owned in the 48,000 acre fire.  The effects are evident throughout the landscape, the mountains are covered with dead, blackened, 300 year-old tree trunks.  Green underbrush and small trees are beginning to grow, but it will be many years before the ecosystem can return to normal.  The town and forest is still in danger of fire.  In asking the people why they stay, with such a high risk, they say "this town gets in your blood."  Pretty fascinating place.  

jump start your morning...

Took this out on someone this morning.  Awesome.  He told me I could have a picture of it.  I let him keep the bridge.

I love my job.

get ready world!

Check out the link to this video of the olympic qualifier for the men's triathlon.

http://youtu.be/iP3JTXtHluA

Top two US men make it in.  Watch Manny Huerta count the athletes finishing in front of him, then count himself...heading to his first Olympics.  So inspiring :)

Hutch.

Spring 1999.  Freshman year of high school.  I’d joined the track team one year earlier, with my best friend Natalie Bacon.  We ran the 100 meter dash, threw the shot-put, duct taped our arms together, and ate Pringles.  That was track.  

In a very short time, the coaches realized my talent for the 100m dash was, well, limited.  I became a 400m runner with Mr. Clark’s middle distance crew.  I hated it.  

This was the year that Maine began hosting a new event at states, the girls 4x800m run.  The distance team was small at the time.  I mean, who wanted to run more than one lap around?  

Looking back, this was the day that changed my life.  They needed a fourth girl to form a team.  Ted Hutch, the distance coach, came up and said “Turner, we’re going to make you an 800 runner.”  And he did, and I started running.  And I never looked back.  

The York distance team has evolved over the years.  Hutch started a winter track program in 1999.  We had six members, and everyone thought we were crazy, running through the hallways of the school for practice.  Our parents drove us to meets.  By 2002, there were over eighty members.  Running was kinda cool.  We’d even stop for food on the way home.  York became a competitor.  Ted Hutch won his first state title, in 2012, with the boy’s indoor team.  

This weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the New Mexico high school outdoor track and field state championship.  My friend coaches at a local high school (lucky for his kids, he’s got Hutch’s spirit and humor).  Seeing those kids, in all the glory, drama, tears, naivety of what they have and what they can accomplish...gave me an appreciation of what I had then.  Life was simple and pure.  Pasta dinners, road trips, ice cream runs along the ocean, team parties, parades and firetrucks, support from all around.  Most importantly, we had a coach that made running fun, and gave us what we needed for success (even if it was that disappointed look when we’d hide in the bushes and skip out on miles...sorry Hutch).  

Hutch gave me the plate off his truck for high school graduation in 2002.  Three years later, my younger sister got the same gift, though Maine had changed the background of their plates by then.  I’d never realized, until now, that it’s come everywhere with me...eleven apartments in ten years.  Four states, even six months in Australia.  If you take something with you everywhere, it’s special, right?  I guess that means it’s one of the most important things I have. 

Thanks Hutch, for everything.

random

Nothing like a hailstorm and my first sugar free Red Bull in years to kick off a weekend.  Fabulous parties, events, and workouts with fabulous people!

delish

Sometimes it's just an ice cream for dinner kinda week.

So you have ice cream for dinner.

And everything is better.

Highlight of the day...the five year old future state champ pacing me in my workout.  LOVE kids running.  Mom had him doing relay baton handoffs.

Perception.

Confusing day.  Life is complicated.  Sometimes answers aren't always clear.

Run for the Zoo

Fun day at the Run for the Zoo!  Many people being active in Albuquerque!

Some highlights...an elephant waving at me.  Felt strong racing at altitude (39:19, W1).  Lulu cheer squad for hours ("Nice shoes! Go beard! Yeah strollerman!").  Met some great new people.  Tons of questions about Saucony gear.  And of course, first time at Range Cafe for brunch...mmm granola pancakes/veggie omelette with pistachio pesto.  All before noon.

Great work to everyone in the half marathon, 10K, 5K!

SAUCONY CHRISTMAS!

 

Not much to say except that I'm obsessed with Saucony.  Coming home to a huge box full of hot pink performance gear?  Great way to end a day!