Ahhhh...Isn't Art So Relaxing?

I wouldn't call myself a "colorist," really,  but I've been into drawing and painting pretty much my whole life.  It has always been a part of who I am.  So I totally understand why people have turned to "adult coloring," doodling, etc. in the last couple years as a way to escape the pressure and stress of societies demands.  However, I have a hard time thinking of the actual process of producing any art as truly being "relaxing." 

 

Producing art can present you with loads of stressful situations.  As in the cartoon I sketched below, the pencil lead can keep snapping, the sharpener might not work, you can spill coffee on your work, accidentally color outside the lines... It can be quite stressful, actually!  

 

But I guess it isn't the process that is actually the most beneficial part of producing art.  It is the feeling you get when your work is complete and actually looks halfway decent.  I have learned over the years not to crumple up my paper and throw it across the room when I'm frustrated.  If I stick with it and adapt to my mistakes, the final product can still come out okay.  I have found this to be the case with running ultras as well.  If you keep pressing on past the "lows" and keep doing all you know how to do, eventually you will reach the "highs" and eventually the race will be over.  In fact, this is true of life in general.  Keep pressing forward and make the best you can out of the mistakes of your past. 

Art Inspiration

I thought it would be fun to show a few pictures I have snapped from the trails that were loosely used

to inspire some of my artwork.

Update on Coloring Book Project - Weeks 1-5

 

So, here is where I am so far.  It has been quite a challenge to go from years of doodling on scrap paper (doodles that I would throw away after finishing) to producing artwork that I am scanning into the computer and trying to get formatted for publication.  It has been quite an experience already, and I'm only half way done.

 

I'm thrilled to have many complements on my artwork, it certainly helps motivate me to keep going...but there is a huge difference in people admiring my work and people being willing to purchase a book of digital prints of my work.  I feel like I'm annoying people with all my posts of my works in progress, but I feel like it is the most effective way to raise awareness of my work for future sales?  That is truly going to be the most difficult part of this project...marketing!  I'm up for some suggestions in this area!

 

I have made a few pdf files available for download at  https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrairieSteps, and will be adding more work in the upcoming weeks.  Currently, each file is $1.75  (buyer will be able to print as many copies as they wish of that purchased file).  This obviously isn't intended to bring in a lot of profits, but I'm hoping it will help to promote the work, and perhaps it can be better appreciated in a tangible form.

 

I am also happy to send people a free file of certain pieces if they will color them and share on social media to help me promote the work.  Let me know if you are interested.

 

Thanks again for those who have been following this project, and for all the kind words.

 

Update on Prairie Steps Coloring book Project (Week 4)

I'm making some pretty good progress on the book.  It feels like it has been several months since I started this project, but I'm actually still in the first month.  I had hoped I'd be close to done by now, but now, looking at all that goes into such a project, and being determined to put out some good quality artwork, I'd say it will probably still take another couple months to make all the art...let alone getting it digitized, edited, formatted, and published.

I'm always so eager to complete a project I'm on because if I don't get it done pretty quickly, I am likely to move on to something else.  I have no intention of giving up on this project, but I have seen that personality trait popping up in the creation of my artwork.  I'm good to get about two pieces done in one particular style before trying something different.  At first I was afraid I had several different coloring books going on at the same time, but now I think a conglomeration of styles combined into one book will work just fine.  That is pretty representative of my personality, so since the book is primarily tied to a blog about my outdoor adventures running, hiking, etc. it seems fitting that it should be a good representation of what is inside my head.

The Trail, My Mistress?

This morning, after a few weeks of not going out much and certainly not training like I intended to, I tried to go for a speed hike.  And it was kind of creepy, but it was like the trail took on a personality...and it was NOT happy with me for some reason.  The snow had melted and the trail was now muddy, so muddy it seemed to be spitting at me.  Then it tried to suck my shoes right off of my feet.  After fighting it awhile, I swear a tree branch reached out and slapped me across the face.  On purpose! 

I began to think about my wife's reference of the trail as my "mistress"  (It calls me early in the morning and says "Come to me, I've been waiting for you."  It attracts me and seduces me with its beauty.  I run away to it for hours at a time for my own personal pleasure... Ok, I'm starting to feel guilty).  I suddenly began to see the trail this morning as a nagging woman who was mad at me for neglecting her for so long.  She was certainly unhappy to see me!  She was refusing to let me have an enjoyable time this morning!  So, I quit.  I decided to go home to my wife (well, right after I wrote this blog post...perhaps writing is yet another mistress...)

In all seriousness though, sometimes the trail does seem to be alive.  When I go for a run or a hike on the trail I like the solitude.  I like to be alone.  But occasionally I get the feeling I am not.  In many ways it is alive if you think about it.  There are little bugs and animals everywhere that have eyes that seem to be watching.  The grass, trees, and plants are actually alive and growing, right?  And they are said to respond to music and noise.   Sometimes I get the feeling the trail is listening to me when I sing.

I deliberately sing and talk to the Lord on the trail sometimes, but I'm not one of those guys that equates God with "Mother Nature."  I believe Nature is simply a system God created.  However, once I seriously pondered the thought that maybe God sees and hears us specifically through the nature He has created, and that in fact He does see us and hear us through the eyes and ears of other people and animals.  Probably just a crazy thought of mine, but perhaps it is something to think about.  Next time you think you are alone but don't feel alone, remember that you actually aren't.  Go ahead and speak.  Let yourself be heard.  And think about Who you are talking to.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." -Romans 1:20, 21

Progress on Coloring Book Project - Week 3

It's been a long, busy week full of mixed emotions as we buried my wife's grandmother.  She was a faithful, godly, hard-working woman.  She will be missed, but is in a much better place now, with Jesus her Savior.  As always, you never know how much a person meant to you until they are gone. 

Anyway, the family was down this week, and we spent a lot of time together (comforting, reminiscing, and fellowshipping).  The preparations for the funeral, extra time spent with family; along with the regular, daily duties to perform, made it a little difficult to get a large amount of artwork done this week.  However, I was able to get a few pieces done, and looking back I'm a little surprised to see they were such time-consuming pieces (I worked a lot of late nights). 

Along with the work shown in this video, I have the beginning of another piece and several ideas for more to come.  I anticipate that next week will be a profitable week in terms of getting work done on the coloring book project.  Thanks for following, and I'm looking forward to posting more next week!

Progress on Coloring Book Project - Week 2

 

Another fair week for producing some artwork.  I may get some done over the weekend, but probably won't share much, so I decided to post this today. 

 

I'm still enjoying it, which is good!  I've been a little concerned that it will become a "job" and I will dread doing it each night.  However, last night I wasn't "feeling it," and so I quit and went to bed. I think it is the first night I haven't produced anything since I started the project, but I'll make up for it next week, Lord willing.

 

Thanks for following, I hope you enjoy it!

Progress on Coloring Book Project - Week 1

So, it was a pretty good week in terms of producing artwork.  Unfortunately I didn't do much running or hiking, but this was a good week to substitute that for art.  First of all, I was recovering last week from being unusually sick with whatever everyone in our family and in our church has been passing around.  Secondly, it has been pretty icy out (I've got pretty bad experience with running on ice!).  So, I was able to fill a couple hours each morning and each night with producing artwork.  I don't know how much it will suffer once I get back to running, but I plan on posting my weekly progress on this project (with a similar video for each week).  Thanks for following. Have a good Lord's Day tomorrow!

Relax, Explore, Create

 

Ok, so once again I find my little ADD brain scattered in way too many directions.  I always get to this place, and then I have to evaluate, eliminate, and organize a little bit.  So here it is:

I have summarized what Prairie Steps means to me with these three words--"Relax," "Explore," and "Create."  I find trails, running and hiking, and art all to be relaxing.  I love to explore and find new adventures.  And "creativity" defines who I am in many ways.  Prairie Steps has been allowing me the opportunity to do the things I love to do, whenever time allows. 

So, every time I can I am grateful to share these things with others who find any type of inspiration or pleasure from my little adventures or my artwork.  Please share this blog with anyone you think would enjoy.  Thanks.

Episode 2 of "Footprints on the Kansas Trails."

I'm excited to finish compiling enough clips to make another short film.  I mentioned this one briefly in my last post, "Can't Leave Out the Creek Side!" This one took me about three sessions (I lost all clips I took on the second session).  I'm still only using a cellphone and Windows Live Movie Maker, so again I apologize for the quality of the video.  But I'm learning.  And hopefully I will eventually get to the point of purchasing some equipment...we shall see.

In the meantime, I hope this gives a little taste of what this trail is like.

About the music: 

I'm actually still in the process of getting permission to use this song from Southern Raised.  If you end up watching this video with no music, I guess I didn't get permission.  I'm pretty sure they won't mind me sharing their song since I'm not profiting off of it, it promotes their music...and (in this particular song) it really gives the Gospel message.  Either way, I appreciate the song and for some reason felt like it fit.

Thanks for following.

Can't Leave Out the Creek Side!

I was out on the trail this morning, going for a hike.  It's starting to feel like December now.  I didn't originally plan on it, but couldn't help but to take several more shots of the trail in hopes of using some of them to put together episode 2 of "Footprints on the Kansas Trails." Everything was just so peaceful and beautiful this morning, I wanted to try to capture it.

There are so many other Kansas trails I have found in researching for this project, but there is this section of the Lehigh Portland Trail that was not featured in the first video, and I want everyone to be able to see it. It is on the creek side (I think it is Rock Creek) of the trail. It is only about a mile, but I wanted to treat this part of the trail separately.

I'm looking forward to putting this video out, but there will have to be at least one more session before I get all the shots I want to have.  The video quality will still be pretty poor, because I'm still just using my cellphone, but I think it will capture the essence of hiking on this portion of the Lehigh Portland Trails.  It should be obvious why I wanted to treat it separate from the other video.  Keep following to see the progress. Thanks.

Introducing the "Footprints on the Kansas Trails" Project

 

After a long spell of putting this blog on the side burner, I recently made the decision to take it in a different direction.  There is a vision I have had ever since I first changed the name of the blog to "Prairie Steps" about 4 years ago, but I haven't taken any steps toward making the vision a reality...until now.

 

Footprints on the Kansas Trails Project - Film #1 

"Running on the Lehigh Portland Trails"

First, if you don't know me, allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Rocky, I am currently a youth minister/pastor's assistant at Iola Baptist Temple in Iola Kansas.  I run.  But honestly, I don't know if I can really identify as "a runner."  I love the outdoors, I love challenges...I love adventure.  I like running, but I'm just as satisfied with a nice brisk hike through the woods, a canoe trip down a river, or even sleeping under the stars next to the nice, cozy flame of a campfire.  When I do run, I run at my own pace.  I'm not fast.  And I walk when I get tired.

So, it seems like quite a stretch for me to try to inspire anyone to become "a runner."  No one is going to read my blog or watch a video clip of me running in order to pick up pointers on how they can shave time off of their next 5K or half-marathon (I might be able to help a little, simply from experience and reading lots of material on running).  And, even though I enter into ultra distance races because I love the challenge, I can't give much advice on ultramarathons either. 

Mostly, I just like the excuse to get out in nature, get some exercise, suck in all the oxygen off of the evergreens, listen to the rhythm of my footsteps and the singing of the birds.  I like the opportunity to get alone with God, thank Him for His beautiful creation and for the opportunity to serve His Son Jesus with all my heart and all my soul.  And in the process, I like to share it all with others.

That's what this vision is all about.  I want an excuse to see all the trails that are near by, from the most popular trails, to the "best hidden secrets."  I also want to be able to share them with others and encourage everyone to enjoy the benefits of getting out in nature.  So, I began to dream a couple dreams.  Who knows where they will take me, but while I'm waiting to see, let's just have some fun!

For now, I have absolutely no budget for this project.  I can't afford very many days off to make videos and write stories of my adventures. I don't have any equipment except for a few free programs on my computer and a cellphone.  I have nothing by way of sponsors or financial supporters... But as you can see, I'm still able to put a little bit together.  So, I hope you will enjoy it.  Please follow this blog, subscribe to my YouTube page, and like my Facebook page if you are interested in seeing the future of Prairie Steps.  I have a lot of ideas, but I'm up for suggestions and any advice you can offer.

Thanks for reading.  Remember, life is always an adventure.
 

Looking Forward To More Hiking/Camping In 2015...Or Am I???

I love running, really I do.  There was a time when I equated it with asthma, shin splints, heart pain, tunnel vision... a means of torture administered by my soccer coach...but over the years, I learned to love it.  I became an ultra runner in 2006, and it changed me in many ways.  I entered a new world that I can never forget.  Once an ultra runner, always an ultra runner...I guess.

So, don't misunderstand what I am about to say, but this year my goal is to do a little less running and a lot more hiking/camping.  I still have the goal of finishing another 100 miler...some day...but for now, my focus has changed (probably because I've gotten lazy over the last month, have hardly ran at all, and have totally been taken captive by the whiles of the holidays: eating junk food, laying around with the family watching movies, eating more junk food...)

The last few times I forced myself to get out on the trail, I found myself hiking instead of running.  During my last hike, I got to thinking, "I really like hiking."  I like camping, too...and fishing.  I like all that stuff.  I like them in a different way than running, but I do like them very much.  And it seems like hiking, camping, and fishing lend themselves more to family involvement.  So, with that being said, here are some pictures of some of the outdoor activities (besides running) that brought me a whole lot of enjoyment in 2014.  Take a look, and I think you'll see just how much fun I've had (sort of):



At the beginning of the year, Zachary and I had some father/son time around his birthday.  It was what he wanted.  I'm not sure how much I influenced that desire, but I was more than willing to give him this birthday present!  We headed out Sunday night after church, the truck already being all loaded.  We slept for awhile in the back of the truck, and then early in the morning we set up camp, gathered firewood, cooked up a good meal over the fire...and nearly froze to death (seriously, it got below zero, and we were not prepared for it.)  Good times!



A couple months later, Braeden decided he wanted the same thing for his birthday.  Again, ready to sacrifice, I loaded up the truck and prepared for our great adventure.  The temperature got very low again, but we handled it.  Oh, and there was that little spell of sickness that I had.  It caused me to vomit uncontrollably for much of the night.  I'm not talking about a little spewing out of the mouth, either.  I'm talking about veins popping out of the head, blood vessels literally bursting in my eyeballs, you know, the "touch me and you die!" kind of sickness...  but for some reason, I have nearly forgotten about all the discomforts of that trip and have many more memories in my head of the time that we...well, at least I, enjoyed.  For example, this little hiking trip we took around the lake provided me with my favorite picture of all times.

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the year, we took a family camping trip (it included a cabin...so, I'm not actually sure if it really counts as camping) at Toronto Lake.  We had a blast as a family.  We did a little conoeing, some swimming, the kids took their bikes and rode them around...Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the bike accident...                     

5-10 minutes into the trip, Braeden rode his bike down a hill, lost control and made about a 30 foot jump off of a bridge into a grassy field where he landed on his face...yeah, good times! (poor guy.)

 

There were a couple other outdoor adventures with the family.  They always make good memories.  This next year, if all goes as I hope it will, there will be many more.  I'd like to try more shelter building with the boys.  I'd like for us to do some "survival" camping (although, with my track record, I'm not sure that's a great idea). 

 

I'd like to succeed in starting fires with sticks.  I like to do more boiling our drinking water straight out of the lake, eating more edible plants, using more mullein leaves as toilet paper... yeah, this is going to be a great year for outdoor adventures!

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

Simple "Layering" For Running/Hiking In Winter Weather

I'm sure there are plenty of articles out there that can better explain the idea of layering.  I probably should have searched for them and read them myself before writing this, but all I want to do here is tell you what I have found to be the case based on experience (as well as knowledge based on a few articles I have read, but no particular article sticks out in my mind for me to refer you to). 

Training for ultra marathons has led me to hours at a time either hiking or running in various temperatures.  Again, I'm no professional and I'm sure you could do better somewhere else, but here is my basic understanding. 

I hope it helps:

3 Basic Layers

-First Layer (Base layer)

Call me old-fashioned (or cheap), but I'm not into spending lots of money on high tech running/hiking clothes.  I always figure, Surely there is something in my wardrobe that will work.  But your first layer, I have learned, is very important!  It may be worth buying a good sweat-wicking shirt.  There are good microfiber shirts that are inexpensive (you definitely don't have to go with the expensive brands, but you will be very happy if the shirt does what it is supposed to do--wick the sweat!)  However, if you have any shirts that are primarily polyester, they will do.  I often just throw a cotton t shirt on before a run, but I assure you that is a big mistake!  When I do, I feel every bit of sweat, and when it is below freezing, the sweat freezes and leaves you very uncomfortable.

-Second Layer (Mid layer or Insulating layer)

In temperatures 40 degrees or above, you might be okay just grabbing a sweatshirt, but if it gets down to 30 or below, you are going to want to think a little harder about how you insulate.  Of course, there are many different types of insulation (cotton, down, wool, fleece...).  To me, I would rather go with two lighter weight shirts for a mid layer than a thick, heavy coat.  Also, remember that you can insulate too much.  If you are over sweating, this layer is going to get soaked and it will freeze.

-Third Layer (Shell layer)

This layer should not be very thick at all.  It is not for the purpose of keeping you warm (that is the point of the second layer).  This layer is to keep the elements from getting to you.  It should be  breathable.  Some water proof jackets have vents under the armpits or in the back.  Mostly, with this layer, you are just wanting it to be water proof and wind proof.  If it is not windy or raining, you probably don't want it at all, but take it with you (pack it away or tie it around your waist) if there is any chance of precipitation, or the if the wind might pick up. 

When To Use Hats, Gloves, and Scarfs

Everyone has probably heard that much of our heat is lost through the head.  That is correct, but sometimes you need the heat to escape.  So how do you do that and still remain comfortable?  Most importantly, you need to learn how to listen to your body.  Here is what I am learning:

In temperatures in the 30's or below, you definitely want a hat, but I would start with a fleece or wool headband. The picture above-left shows me before a run in 20-30 degree weather.  I often wear this fleece headband.  It covers my ears and as much or as little of my head as I want.  If your mid layer has a hood, you can put it on when you are feeling cold, and flip it off when you need to "let off some steam." 

In the picture above-right, it is 5 below and I have a fleece headband that I can pull down to use as a scarf, a fleece hat that barely covers my ears (big head!), and a hood from my mid layer that I can pull on and off as needed.

As for gloves, I usually wear a pair sort of like these fleece gloves that turn into mittens.  I got them for Christmas one year and didn't think I would wear them much.  I usually just pull my sleeves over my hands, but I have tried them several times and find that they do the job quite well.  You can have access to your fingers (in case you need to send a text...or pick your nose...), and when used as mittens, they are very warm.  They also wash and dry very easily.

Another benefit I have found with this type of glove is that I can keep my cellphone inside and it will stay warm.  My battery will read "dead" if it is below freezing, but when warmed up, I can get in a quick phone call if needed.  I'm not sure about newer phones...I still have an old, small, flip phone!

I hope this helps.  If you have any other questions, I would be glad to answer them the best I can.  But for now, I feel like this post has reached my limit in length.  Thanks for reading.  Stay warm!

Packing for a run...in any occasion

Ah yes, the old "fanny pack."  I use one that looks about like the one in this picture (cheap, fairly durable, 3 pockets...really about all I need), although you can get about any make and model nowadays.   I personally don't care much about fashion when I am running (if you've ever run with me in a race or seen me on the trail, you're thinking "That's for sure.")  I also prefer to run without any extra things, but there are several reasons I try to always have a pack ready and force myself to get used to wearing it:

1.  I don't have enough hands.  It's different for each runner, but there are some things I really like to carry with me that just aren't pocket-friendly, like keys, cell phone, sunglasses...toilet paper.  It's nice to have it all in a pack in case I need it.

 

2.  I never know when nature will call.  Since I mentioned toilet paper, yes, I like to take some with me.  I've had bad experience with using nature's resources.  That being said, I have discovered some good plants whose leaves work just fine for me (maybe in another post).  However, I like the security of knowing it is there. (tip: keep some in a zip-lock bag to keep dry)

 

3.  I never know what the weather is going to do.  Certain times of the year, rain comes at a moment's notice.  It is nice to have a few things prepared just in case.  The pack itself can serve to protect a few things from the rain (my pack isn't completely water proof.  So, as mentioned before, I bring a zip-lock bag to put in the toilet paper, maps, or other paper products.  I also put in my cell phone if it begins to rain) 

 

You could also keep a poncho in your pack, but I have never found it to be handy.  First of all, it makes me sweat so much that I might as well be drenched in the rain.  Secondly, it flaps in the breeze, and even though I'm not worried about it slowing down my already sloth-like pace, I find it to be very annoying.

 

4.  I never know when hunger or hypoglycemia will strike.  I absolutely hate having a pleasant run interrupted by my body screaming at me for food.  I try to have two things handy: something straight sugar (jelly beans, hard candy...) and something that metabolizes slower with a little protein and even fat (like peanut butter crackers or granola bars).  Another idea is to have some sports drink powder you can add to your water.  (By the way, you definitely need to carry water with you.  Many packs come with a water bottle holder.  That is the one thing I actually don't mind having in my hand.  I've run complete ultra marathons, including a hundred miler, with one or two bottles in my hand).

 

5.  I never know when I will start getting a little chaff.  I don't always have time to lube up, and if I don't need to I would rather just not do it at all.  But it is silly not to have some anti-chaffing cream handy, because chaffing can sure ruin your day.  When you feel friction somewhere and you can tell it is "heating up," you need to have some Body Glide, or Vaseline, or something to rub on the troubled spot.

 

The list can go on and on.  I can't tell you what to pack or where to pack it--you will have to figure out what works best for you--but I highly recommend you always have some sort of pack ready.  Keep it in your car or somewhere you can easily access it when that opportunity comes for another good running adventure.  As soon as you can after a run, make sure you restock when needed.

 

Oh yeah, and don't forget your running shoes (unless you are a minimalist, in which case you can just take your shoes off and go)!

PST-50 Race Update

Well, I finished.  That is what ultras are all about, finishing.  Of course I had to keep reminding myself that as I watched people much older than me pass by.  It is amazing the condition some of these guys are in...well into their sixties and seventies I might add.  And I can't leave out the ladies. Plenty of female runners passed by, too.  And to think, there was a day when women didn't run in any organized foot races.

I kept asking myself, "Should I be going faster?" and then saying, "Remember your training.  You trained to run slow and take walk breaks." Then I would remind myself, "You have two metal plates in your leg and sixteen screws...the doctor didn't even think you would run again.  Just finish!"  Quite honestly, I really wasn't sure how I would hold up, so it was quite an honor just to be able to finish.

But it gets better.  Around the half way point, the predicted (and dreaded) storm came in...apparently even worse than anyone expected.  In fact, the only preparation I had made for the storm was to bring a wind breaker to put over my fleece pullover if it got windy or started to sprinkle.  How could I know I would be pelted in the face by sleet coming at me sideways?  And don't forget it was supposed to be Spring. 

My face froze and went numb.  Soon the sleet turned into giant flakes of snow that were accumulating quickly.  At one point, I felt like I had a brain freeze.  I started thinking I should have worn a hat.  Then I felt my head, and there was a hat there...of sorts.  It was about an inch of snow that had accumulated on top of my hair (thus the brain freeze).

I guess the snow did provide some positives, however.  The landing was a bit softer on my Planters Fasciitis I had acquired a week or two earlier.  My feet and toes were numb so I couldn't feel the usual pain that comes in that region after twenty five miles or so (okay, I felt it plenty, but maybe it would have been worse if had not been for the snow!)

I have got to say, it was pretty terrible to run in when you got to pavement.  Immediately my feet were drenched and soggy in the slushy snow.  Every time I lifted my feet out of the slush, my hip flexors were yelling "Mommy!"  But anyway...

My mind really went to the fact that I was originally going to try the 100-miler.  Many of these guys would still be running ten hours or so after I finished.  By the way, after I finished the snow really started coming down.  On my way home, I could see little lights bobbing up and down in the snowy darkness as the brave runners pressed on.  As it turns out, only five of the sixty 100-milers finished before their race was called off.  I guess there was six, but it turns out one of them was disqualified (I don't know enough details to speak about that situation).

This was my first ultra with Epic Ultras. I will tell you right now, if you are an ultra runner or interested in your first ultra marathon, Eric Steele and his crew have got what it takes to make your experience...well, epic.  Perhaps that is an overused word, but it actually fits here.  One definition of the word "epic" is simply "Extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope."  Well, by that definition, all ultras are epic, and Epic Ultras goes beyond the ordinary in other ways.

Everything that I saw in this race was very well thought out and organized.  Each worker at the aid stations were very helpful and polite.  All provisions seemed to have been made.  I only apologize that I couldn't think clearly enough to communicate well with the workers, but they did a good job interpreting my frozen tongue language.  I hope they understood that I was thanking them profusely for being there.

I plan on being back next year for the 100...and perhaps I won't be able to make it that long before I find myself signing up for another grueling ultra...but let's make it a warm one this time, without the snow!

(Week 4) Week By Week, Day By Day

So, New Year's Eve I had a good, 16-mile hike/jog, but then comes the New Year...you know, when you're supposed to start fresh and meet all your goals?

-January 1: "Workout cancelled"
-January 2: "Workout cancelled"

...not good.

By the way, I have found myself re-adjusting my training plan every week--I think, for the better.  So here is what I am thinking, instead of starting the year fresh, my focus all year should be starting each week fresh...perhaps even each day.  Every day we mess up our goals and our efforts to do better.  Perhaps this is why the apostle Paul says in the Bible, "I die daily."  So, here I go.  Another week.  Another day.

The secret is, TRY! Keep saying, "I'll do better next time," and TRY.  We all love to point out that "Nobody is perfect," but we forget that Jesus said, "Be ye perfect." Maybe we aren't, but we need to try.  That is my plan for the New Year...no, that is my plan for this next week...and tomorrow morning!

Monday:  Am) 16-mile hike/jog
Tuesday:  Workout cancelled
Wednesday:  Workout cancelled
Thursday:  Am) 1-hr stationary bike + 6-mile jog/hike (1/2)
Friday:  Pm) 1-hr stationary bike
Saturday:  Am) 1-hr on stationary bike
Sunday:    Off

(Week 3) "Acclimating To The Cold"

The holidays got me a bit, both in my diet and in a couple missed workouts, but I still managed to get in some good, medium "hike/jog"s.  Part of the challenge of training this time of year has been adjusting to the cold weather.  Some of my early morning workouts have been in the the single digits or slightly higher.  I am remembering the basics of layering (after a couple times of freezing off your nose...or other body parts, you start to wise up a bit).

Layering for me in temperatures lower than about 35 degrees is something like this (if I ran the whole time it might be a little different, but since I have been walking at least half of the time, I have to dress slightly warmer):

head:  I wear a hat. If I can't pull the hat over my ears, I wear a scarf or make sure my jacket has a hood.
upper body: t-shirt, sweatshirt, fleece jacket (if windy, I will skip the sweatshirt but wear a windbreaker over the fleece.
hands: I have fingerless gloves that can be made into mittens if needed, but if it is in the upper 20's 
or higher, I usually pull my sleeves over my hands.
legs:     Legs stay pretty warm as long as you are moving, but if it is in the 20's and I feel like it, I will
wear fleece pajamas  under my sweat pants.
feet:     I don't usually have problems with my feet, but occasionally I will wear wool socks.

An interesting thing I have always found is after a few two-hour sessions of early morning jogging in the cold, your body begins to acclimate, and before long you find your self indoors asking "Is it hot in here, or is it just me?"  There is plenty more winter left, so I'm glad to be getting used to it...or at least I think I am.  Week 3 training went as follows:

Monday:            8-mile hike/jog (1/4)
Tuesday:           workout cancelled
Wednesday:      8-mile hike/jog (1/4)
Thursday:          workout cancelled
Friday:              1 hour stationary bike
Saturday:           8-mile hike/jog (1/4)
Sunday:             off

(Week 2) "More Of The Same"

Week two was very much a repeat of week one.  I found that biking got a little easier, and I was able to hike a bit faster without much effort.  Thankfully, everything seems strong and I am ready to add some jogging.  But I will wait another week before adding more distance.  I did terrible on my diet as the holidays are coming near and there is plenty of junk to choose from, but that is not my main focus now.  After Christmas I will focus more on that, but for now I just want to get some early miles in on my legs and establish a pattern of making myself get out no matter the time or the weather.


Monday           am: 2 hour speed hike on the Prairie Spirit trail
Tuesday           am: 2 hour bike ride on the Prairie Spirit trail/pm: stretches and ab workout
Wednesday      pm: light weights, legs
Thursday          am: 2 hour speed hike on the Prairie Spirit trail (near blizzard conditions)
Friday              pm: 1 hour stationary bike/stretch and abs
Saturday          workout cancelled
Sunday             off

(Week 1) "Learning to Ride a Bike"

Last week seemed so light for ultramarathon training, especially considering how soon race day will be creeping up on me.  I remember the first 100-miler I trained for, I made myself get out there and start jogging 20-milers right away, having never ran farther than a half-marathon. This time, however, is going to have to be completely different than any training I have ever done in order to keep my left leg and ankle strong but not overworked (If it is injured during training, I'm done). So cross-training is in order to supplement only two long jog/hike workouts and one short, faster jog each week.

Right now I'm not even jogging really. I'm trying to ease into it, so I have to keep myself from running too much too soon...which is actually pretty hard at this point as I am really excited to be training again and am already noticing increased energy levels.  But I keep remembering previous ultamarathons; there were some people who walked the whole thing and beat some of the runners who had to take longer rest breaks.  Even if I never train for the running part, I could possibly finish 100 miles in 25 hours.

But this training is going to be unique for me in that it will include a lot of cycling which I have never been fond of, and in many ways I am currently "learning to ride a bike."  I know very little about how to sit on the bike, how to adjust the bike, how to shift gears...I am just concerned with pumping my legs to get them into proper shape.

So here is a quick summary of last week (week 1): 



Monday:      2 hr. speed hike (about 15 min/mile pace)
Tuesday:     (am) light weight, high reps/whole body
                    (pm) light weight, high reps/legs and abs
Wednesday:  10 mile bike ride
Thursday:    2 hr. speed hike (about 15 min/mile pace)
Friday:         2 hr. stationary bike
Saturday:     (cancelled--didn't get up early enough and was too
                    busy working on Christmas program rest of day)
Sunday:        (off)