Simply Julie!: Buck Mountain Mudslinger Trail Run, 6.5 never-endi...

Simply Julie!: Buck Mountain Mudslinger Trail Run, 6.5 never-endi...: Back in January was my best friend Tonya's birthday...I had it all planned out.  A surprise trail run that fell  right on her birthday.  A ...

Buck Mountain Mudslinger Trail Run, 6.5 never-ending miles!

Back in January was my best friend Tonya's birthday...I had it all planned out.  A surprise trail run that fell
 right on her birthday.  A few day's before the run, I received a e-mail, due to flooding it was moved to May 12th (same day as our 1/2 marathon, Hippie Chick)....oh no!  I was really bummed, but I was able to transfer our fee to another race.  We picked the "Buck Mountain Mudslinger Trail Run".  It was yesterday.......

Registration 

We left Dallas at 7:00am and headed to Howard Creek State Park at Silver Falls.  It's only about an hour drive. As we drove up the mountain we began to see snow.  We turned off into to park and got out to pick up our race numbers...burrrr it was cold out.  We got a good parking spot right next to the port-a-potties and the starting line, lucky us!  We sat in the car, yes we did!  I found it very interesting watching people, and we were staying warm lol!

Waiting in line to start 

A few minutes before 9 am they called everyone to line up.  Off we went to the start line alone with about 300 other runners.  We found Keith and Laura, some fellow runners from Willlamette Valley Running Club. Was good to see we weren't the only crazies out this morning trying to run muddy/snowy mountains, lol.   We started on a park road, but soon went off onto a trail.  As we turned off onto the trail we were forced to go really slow, then came to a walk.  I thought, "wow, the trail must really be narrow."  As we came a little further I realized what the hold-up was....we had to cross a creek.  It was all muddy colored from all the people in front of us.  It was at least knee deep and very cold.  We weren't even warmed up yet!  There was no getting around this ..... we had to go through it.  Two of my toes felt frozen after that but all we could do is keep going or quit...keep going it was!  

The trail was narrow, muddy and slick.  We quickly came to a muddy mountain.  Tonya and I train on hills most every week so the thought of hills really weren't intimidating to us, but we do not ever trail run, mud run, or snow run....hummmmm, this was going to be a challenge.  As we started up the mountain our toes were freezing and with all the people it was very tight.  Most of the time we had to go single file because of how the trail was.  It seemed that every two steps we took we slid back a step.  We had to tighten muscles and brace ourselves from slipping.  I have never been in mud like this.  It was exhausting.

We left our garmins home so we had no idea what time or mile we were at.  We just had to keep going.  At one point my calves started burning and I wanted to stop so bad.  It was hard.   A lot of the time we had to walk.  With the path so narrow there were places you couldn't pass, and if you tried you would get injured going around.  At one point a women behind a group of us finds a spot to pass.....as she zooms pass us in some deep mud she totally biffs it a few steps ahead.  It was funny!  

Tonya stuck in the mud, I had to pull her out, lol!

We finally reach the top of the steepest mountain  and enjoy running slowly down the mountain in the mud/snow.  There were mud pits and you never knew how deep they were.  I saw someone loose their shoe in a mud pit and was digging it out.  As we went through another mud pit, Tonya sinks knee deep and I have to pull her out.  All we could do was laugh.  We were so tired and so done, but we had to keep going.

The trail leveled off for a little bit, but we then found ourselves in deep snow.  We must of been at the top of the mountain.  We stopped for a quick photo.  By this time my toes were no longer frozen...I was very warm.  But my ankle was hurting (I'm used to road running only).  As I stepped into the deep cold snow I felt relief to my hurting ankle.  It was like a but a ice pack on it. A little relief to my hurting body, lol!

Finally, the top of the mountain!

We tried to have some fun going down the mountain.  We flung mud at each other, but then that became too much work.  I never expected this run to be this hard.  It felt never ending.  It was 6.5 loooong miles.  On the road, Tonya and I could run this any day and run it at a good pace.  Today...nope!  All we could do is keep going and talk to people along the way trying to keep our minds off what we were doing.  We had our Newport Marathon shirts on, so lots of people asked us about Newport.  We talked about how hard this run was, how we would never do it again....how tired we were, how we wanted to be done.

I found that going down hill in the thick mud was kinda fun if you galloped instead of running or walking.  You see, we had to be careful because off all the rocks and sticks.  If you run or walk you just go down into the unknown mud.  If you gallop, you slid into the unknown mud.  I would rather slide into a rock/stick then land on it and hurt my ankle even more!  I know, boring stuff, but I had to keep my mind on something other than what I was doing.

Just before the Finish Line!

As we went a long someone told us the last two miles are all down hill.  Well, we were going downhill!  YES, finally the last two miles.  We were so happy we even picked up the pace a little knowing the muddy mountain was forever in our past.  We went by a few people then our dream came to a sudden halt......what!  Another hill?  We really weren't expecting this, that person was wrong!   All we could do was keep going and that is what we did.  We weren't happy, but we had no choice.  We finally seemed to level off a bit and then saw a mile marker.  6 it said.  I was all excited, only 1/2 mile left!!!!  As we came to a little creek we had to run through a photographer was there.  He told us we had about a mile left?  Hu?  I wasn't happy.  I guess the trail mile marker was not the same as the race markers...sad.   We stayed pretty level, but we were still in mud and snow.  Finally, we heard some human shouts...At the same time, Tonya and I went, "YAH!"  When you are in a race and you hear human shouts, you know you are about to see the FINISH line!  A sweet moment!  We raised our hands in victory and Keith captured the moment for us with his camera!  

Done, time 1:36:34....oh the shame....lol!

We were done, we just ran 6.5 miles up a mountain, in the snow, mud, and water on a narrow trail.  It felt never ending, yet there were times that we laughed so hard and had fun in the moment.  Tonya pretty much hated every minute of it and will never run that race again.  I hated it, but not as much as Tonya.  I do enjoy trail running, but would rather not run through mud pits and creeks.  Next year we will not do this race, but plan other doing another trail run by Run Wild called Willamette Mission Trail Challenge.  This one is muddy yes, but I not as hilly and the trails look wider.

Keith, Me, Tonya and Laura hoping to win something in the drawing.

We went over and waited for prizes to be given out (drawings) and stood by the heater thingy with Keith, Laura and lots of people we didn't know.   None of us won, boo!  Tonya and I peeled off our muddy knee high socks and muddy pasted shoes and headed home.  The hour long drive home felt long...we were tired.  All-in-all, I'm glad we did it.  It's a fun memory even if it was hard.

"... run with patience
the race that is
set before us ..."
Heb. 12:1-3

..

Hills, Earbuds, and a Good Friend...oh and NINE miles!

Marathon training always brings interesting stories.  When you are out running for sometimes hours, things happen, for instance…wolves, wild turkeys, eagles, falling on the pavement and bleeding the rest of the way home.  Desperately asking strangers for water, the list goes on…..

Today was a new one.....

Thursday ‘s Tonya and I do what’s called our “long run.”  Because of our schedules I had to run 3 miles,  meet her, then we ran 6 miles together, then she finished her last 3 miles.  Today our training called for 9 miles, hilly route.  I started off with Safeway hill repeats, and then went on around to meet up with Tonya at her house to go out to Bridlewood together (our favorite hill run).

Off we went, perfect weather!  When we do hill work together we always bring our music players.  At the bottom of the hill, music goes on, and we take off at our own paces and meet back up at the top.  I popped my ear bud in my right ear and took off, it popped right out of my ear….hummm!  I thought the black rubber end came off and dropped onto the road.  I decided just to keep going and look for it on the way back down the hill, no big deal if it was lost anyway.  After a few steps my ear felt funny.  I stuck my finger in my ear and felt something!  OH NO!.....the little black rubber end was in my ear!  I tried to grab it and pull it out, but I couldn't grip it right.  After trying several times and not getting anywhere I thought, I better just get to the top and find a stick and have Tonya take a look.  Yes, I was thinking about putting a stick in my ear! 

  

Finally the top came and I'm like, "Tonya, my ear bud is in my ear."  She looked and said, "I don't see anything."  I said, "I can feel it, I know it's there."  She said, "plug your nose and blow really hard and maybe it will pop out!"  So picture this...two women at the top of a hill in running clothes...one looking in the other's ear while the other plugs her nose and blows while snot is shooting out.   Yes, snot was a-coming! 

I love running, clears the head!  

Tonya could finally see it and said, "can I poke my finger in your ear and try to get it?"  Sure, nope that didn't work!  Next she tried a stick, being very careful not to touch the skin.  Nothing was working so I finally said, "lets just go."  Since I blew it out a little it stopped hurting so bad.

I do believe only a true friend would stick her finger in my sweaty ear to try and get the foreign object out while I am trying not to blow snot on her!!!  Thanks Tonya!

I ran home with this bud in my ear. I got peroxide and tweezers and headed to my husbands work.  He was able to get that thing out...what a relief!   

Never a dull moment! 

Ten Glorious Miles and 25 Wild Turkeys

Ten miles, done!

This morning I got up with a ten mile run planned with my friend Tonya.  My alarm went off and no surprise, I had another headache...ugh!  I seriously didn't want to go.  I got up and started getting myself and my kids around.  The kids got off to school and Tonya got to my house.  We started walking to the end of the block and both were thinking the SAME thing.  "It's cold out, this stinks, lets either not run or cut this run short.  We can do our ten on Saturday."  We almost stopped and went back to the house, but we were already outside, so we might as well get started.
As we took off and got warmed up, I felt better fast.  I was keeping a good pace and just felt good.  I talked and talked.  Tonya was tired from being sick last week and wasn't so talkative. We decided to loops around town rather than a out-and-back, so up Safeway hill we went.  I was expecting to go slow and steady, but felt so great, I held a great pace the whole way up.  I just couldn't believe it.  As we got up on the hill there were wild turkeys.  Tonya said, "there are sooooo many, we need to be careful."  I was thinking, "ok, whatever (I only saw four)" As I looked up,  there they were, at least 25 wild turkeys swanking at us...ahhhh!  Okay, now I know what Tonya was talking about!  We went slow by the turkeys and they didn't eat us!

new running shoes

 We came around and went down to our Levens loop for the last 6 or 7 miles.  I was expecting to peter out in the next mile or so but just kept going and feeling super good.  Talk talk talk...I was just sure Tonya was going to slap me for not shutting up, but she never did.  Around mile 4 we stopped for a quick stretch.  Tonya said, "your shoes do look really cool." (thanks Jerry, for surprising me with new shoes!)...well that made me feel even better!
At about mile 8.5 we came around to Denton and she had had enough....Tonya said, "just go."  I knew what she was feeling.  I have often told her to "just go" out on long runs.  You see, sometimes you have a good day, and sometimes a not so good day.  You just never know until you get out and give it a go.  The thing I find so interesting is how crummy I felt getting up and then how great if felt once I got out and ran.  Sometimes we miss out, simply because we don't go!
After my last half marathon the end of October I went through about a month long runners slump.  It has happened to me before, but I never remember it being so bad.  I would go out for a run and just not be able to go, or just go really slow and feel horrible.  I would just want to cry, it was not fun.  A couple things kept me going...1)  I knew the slump would pass, just had to say consistent and cut back some till it passed. 2) knowing that Tonya was meeting me...can't let a friend down!
About two weeks ago it did pass.  I knew when I went out that day it was over.  I finally felt good and have felt good out running ever since.  My speed is back up and I'm ready to start marathon training again.  Guess my body needed a break.  I didn't realize it but when I added it up, it made sense to have a slump...  May' 10, Hippie Chick Half Marathon, October '10 Portland Marathon...June '11 Newport Marathon...August '11 Hood to Coast (major hill training)...October '11 Runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon...November/December running slump.  That's a lot for my body in the last year-and-a-half...but it was all good!
This year I am doing only two major races and maybe a few "fun runs." January 28th is Tonya's birthday, so I signed us both up for a Run Wild 10k in Salem.  It's a trail run and we are hoping for lots of mud!
Thanks Tonya for letting me talk your ears off this morning!

Simply Julie!: Simply Julie Design January Give-a-way and HOT Dea...

Simply Julie!: Simply Julie Design January Give-a-way and HOT Dea...: Let me introduce you to my January give-a-way .....this month I will be giving away one scarce to a lucky reader. I will also be giving the...

Simply Julie Design January Give-a-way and HOT Deal!

Let me introduce you to my January give-a-way.....this month I will be giving away one scarce to a lucky reader.  I will also be giving the rest of you an opportunity to get a super discount.  Are you excited yet?

To win a FREE scarf of your choice simply ask your friends to "like" Simply Julie Design on facebook and leave a message on my facebook wall saying "your name" sent me.  The first person to get 20 points wins.  Too hard you ask?...here is a way to make extra points right off the start...
  For extra points... 1)  go to my Etsy Shop and tell me what scarf you would pick if you won (counts as one point). Leave comment in comment area on this blog.
Another extra point...2)   "follow" this blog and tell me so under the comment area (counts as one point),
For yet another point...3)   "favorite" a scarf on Etsy and tell be on this blog below under comments (counts as one point)

Remember to comment on this blog for each extra point, for each one separately.

Now, if you just want to order a scarf for a super discount do this....Make a Etsy account (it's free). Favorite my Etsy store.  Tell me below that you did and I will send you a code for 40% off one item (please leave your e-mail). For 50% off tell 10 of your friends to do the same (favorite my etsy store)...just have them send me a note on Etsy or facebook telling me you sent them.

If you just want a discount, this month I am running a New Years Sale.  Simply use coupon code NEWYEARS12 at checkout for 25% off any order.  If you live in the Dallas/Salem area and will be picking up your scarf/scarves...please tell me before you make your purchase so I can send you a free shipping code.

Let me know if you have any questions!!!

Goats Cheese....

I am talking today about going non-dairy again.  I was feeling very good right before Christmas.  For a few days (over Christmas) I choose to eat dairy and I was okay with it, why not? It's Christmas!  Christmas night I went to bed feeling terrible.  Headache, stomach ache, swelling in my eyes and hands.  Not fun.  It's now been four days, I have not eaten dairy since Christmas and I can still feel the affects.  Conclusion...it's not worth it!

I talked to my brother on Christmas Day and he was a huge encouragement to me.  He hasn't been able to eat dairy since we were kids.  He knows more about eating non-dairy than anyone I know.  He told me how to make homemade rice milk and that I should be able to eat goats cheese...who knew?  First of all, I never would of even thought about "making" rice milk, second...because goats cheese is cheese, I would of never thought I could eat it, and cheese has been my favorite food since I can remember.  I went to Safeway today and bought myself some goats cheese.  I made a grilled cheese sandwich and I dipped it in tomato soup....so very good!  Oh how I have missed the cheesy goodness......I also bought some brown rice and white rice.  Today I will attempt to make vanilla rice milk, almond rice milk and strawberry rice milk.  It's very easy to make, the test will come when I'm done and taste it!  Will let you know how it turns out!

Simply Julie!: Non-Dairy and Loving It! Say What?

Simply Julie!: Non-Dairy and Loving It! Say What?: About a month ago I decided to cut out dairy to see if it would help my allergies (stuffy nose, headaches).  Allergies to dairy does run on ...

Non-Dairy and Loving It! Say What?

About a month ago I decided to cut out dairy to see if it would help my allergies (stuffy nose, headaches).  Allergies to dairy does run on my Mom's side of the family.  Little did I know going into this little experiment, that it really would work!  I went off dairy for about three weeks.  I didn't know how it was really working because I had had a sinus/ear infection and was on antibiotics for two of the three weeks.  The antibiotics make me feel terrible.  After three weeks, I babysat my friends kids and she brought over a pizza with the works on it...oh boy, did that pizza look good.  I thought I would go ahead and have a slice or two.  I was rather excited...I sat down and started eating a slice of pizza.  It tasted so very good.  I was quickly saddened ... before I even finished my first slice of pizza, my stomach started feeling weird and my head started hurting.  Surly this couldn't be?!  I went to bed later that night, when I woke up the next morning,  I was all stuffed up and my hands were swollen.  I don't know exactly what that means, dairy allergy?...dairy intolerance?...not sure, but I do know I am sensitive to dairy.  I just can't believe my test worked!
I do know one thing, as much as I love dairy...I love feeling better!  As long as I stay off dairy, I do seem to feel better.  I don't like that bloated feeling.  I can't stand feeling stuffed up every day.  I know dairy won't kill me, but I have found that it is worth it to feel better by cutting it out.  On Christmas I will  probably eat some dairy, but I will get right back on track!
Oh, one huge bonus...the last three weeks, I have lost six pounds with-out even trying!  Cutting out dairy has forced me to make much better choices in what I eat.  I don't feel like I'm on a diet, nor do I plan on going on any type of diet, but lifestyle changes work!  This sure hasn't been easy, but it worked!

Simply Julie!: Simply Julie Design December Give-a-way.

Simply Julie!: Simply Julie Design December Give-a-way.: A few days ago I made a scarf and posted it on my facebook wall. People seemed to love it and ask if I would sell them one. So I thought...

Simply Julie Design December Give-a-way.

 A few days ago I made a scarf and posted it on my facebook wall.  People seemed to love it and ask if I would sell them one.  So I thought, why not?  I started taking orders and after two days I was thinking, "wow, this is something...people really like these."  I started a facebook page and still, people are loving them.  

I am currently doing a December give-a-way.  The first person who refers 25 of their friends to my new page, Simply Julie Design will win a scarf of your choice.   Simply tell your friends to post "Your name" sent me here, and that way I can keep track.

For an extra entry, follow this blog (that will count as five points, so you will only need 20 friends). Be sure and comment on the blog below if you follow.  This will make it easier to keep track.

Good luck.  Contest ends as soon as one person receives 25 points.