Grizzly Ultra: Back for More

Last year, the BadAss Unicorns took on the challenge of doing the Grizzly Ultra 2 Person 50k!

 We came, we ran, we looked rather FAB doing it too! 

This year, Tara asked if I wanted to do it again...
Not a hard decision  -- these race photos show all the happy out there!! 

I was going to do it solo...but given it is 2 weeks prior to Vancouver RnR (and I want to run that half in a not-half-dead manner) I thought THIS would a fun way to celebrate some Autumnal Awesomeness! And still have a great challenge. This year... we are The Happy Pacers. We have a rainbow theme. Now to procure some rainbow socks, hats, etc! 

Our main goal is to HAVE ALL THE FUN! My fab pal Susan (an my other pal Sue are also doing 2 person teams!!) Other goals include looking good in photos (since I rarely like my race pics!) But I really really like these from last year! These pics also show the amazing weather we had. It was warm and glorious. I am hoping we have THAT and no snow. 

Canmore is gorgeous any time of the year. but especially so in Autumn. And,the race itself is damn awesome. The trails are tough and hilly = umm it IS in the mountains! YAHOOOOO! Tara will be doing Legs 1 and 3. I will be doing Legs 2, 4 and 5. It is all about fun, but I do want to improve on our time of 7:34. I am thinking I'll definitely be able to improve my times over last year. Some of my hill work and my upcoming races will help me be stronger and will hopefully show come October! 

And cause I know you are curious....here are the legs. They look so pretty drawn out. With the peaks.

Oh look! The maps look just like the mountains! 

Yes, it is as awesome out there as it looks!! Come and join us...it's all the FUN!! 

Have you run a relay? 

Trail? Road? 

Fess up ... it was totally fun wasn't it??

FABFriday: Huzzzahhhh!

Was your Monday like THIS?

Yup. Mine was. So then HUZZAH for #FABFriday

it's about bloody time...whew!

What's up for you this weekend? I am off to chill at the Calgary Folk Music Festival (some lovely comped me tix for Thursday and Friday!). Then Saturday have some volunteering for Ironman Calgary and then ...some Mountain time. 

Hiking my arse off. LITERALLY. About 5 hours of time on my feet!

Whatever is up for you this weekend, MAKE sure it's FAB!

Life. It's Fabulous.

Embrace it. Love it.

Make it Count, sweetie!

Laugh yer arse off.

Ummm. ULTRAnews: THIS is happening.

I believe in 2014 I said I would never run another Marathon. 
Since most of you, my dear readers, are runners you know what a crapload that statement is. 

I did it. I signed up for my FIRST ultramarathon.

I've run two team ultras (RagnarLV and RagnarADK), but THIS will be my FIRST ultra:

GULP

holyshit!

I will be running TRAILSTOKE!

at the end of August - yes it is soon - I just chose not to write about it til now.

I have wanted to write about THIS for a while. But haven't.

Why? Because I am totally shitting my pants just a little nervous. 
And was having a tough time sharing. Yes, is IS an epic adventure. 
When I first asked someone about it, 
I got "Do it! it will change your life". YES! Ok then...and I sketched out a plan. 

Then I told a running acquaintance I was thinking about it. He said, "Really? Don't you think you should pick something easier?" Then another guy said, "By yourself? You think you can do that?" 

So I shelved the plan. They were right. I had no business THINKING I could.

I am sooooo not ready.

And then a voice kept whispering:
 "Is anyone ever ready?"
"When is anyone EVER ready" 
"Are you really going to let this opportunity slide on by?"

I would wake up hearing that voice. And then I read THIS by Vanessa Runs.

I knew then that I needed to pull the trigger. And I registered.

All my female running friends (some of whom have run ultras) are high5ing and cheering me on. And, I know I CAN. 

It will be tough (the description below will tell you why) but it has a generous time frame. 

I close my eyes and think ... Breathe. Believe. Transcend.

Sooooooo now its time to actually follow through on that little motto. 

still shitting my pants

But with ONE step at a time, one more mile ... I will get er done!

I may not have a time goal, or say this is about racing anyone. 
This is about doing something I NEVER thought was possible. 

So...guess I should tell you all about the race, eh?

TRAILSTOKE is a few hours drive away from me -- located in Revelstoke, British Columbia. It in about 6 weeks time. (YES - I have been training and doing back-to back runs for some time now -- just never told anyone until NOW that I was in for #allthepain #alltheFAB

I will have friends out there as it is organized by the fabulous 5Peaks family (I am an ambassador for the race series - but this is separate INDEED! eep). This is a mountain race. It is 55km and has three segments (yes teams of 3 can also do this):

• Start to Aid Station 1: 15 km (4785 feet elevation gain)
• Aid Station 1 to Aid Station 4: 23km (5151 feet elevation gain)
• Aid Station 4 to the Finish: 15 km (350 feet elevation gain, 2970 feet elevation loss)

Those numbers are NOT at all intimidating. But I am taking this race in bits. Dividing it up in my head. Creating strategies. Knowing what I have run, what I've completed. Using that to know I CAN.

In all seriousness...this is why I have been trooping up the mountains with hikes. Or doing crazy back to back runs. I need to just be good to go. One step after another. Power hike, One foot in front of the other. Getting the climbs in. Stepping up at that training. Literally. Figuratively!

Exciting. Terrifying. Exhilarating. 

And, according to The Oatmeal, all the glory awaits!

SHIT! What am I gonna wear?

I don't think Edina is correct in her recommendation ...

Pretty certain that more research is required, am trying out #allthebottoms to ensure no chafe!

Well then. Enough chatter. I'd best get back to working out!

Soooo...are you trying anything NEW this year?

Have you one an ultra? A 24 hour race? Do you wanna? 

 

#alltheFAB #GULP  #holyCRAP #getofftheroad

#hittheTRAIL #EEK

#jsutbreathe

Last Weeks Shenanigans

Last Weekend was filled with lots of fun. And shitty runs. But let's count those runs as MILES IN. Let's put the struggle part in the BUCKET, shall we? And recount all the FUN that was had this week. Right?

CHOOSE HAPPY, Tina. Funny that one has to remind oneself stuff we have said or written...) Let's reminds oneself shall we??

Started the week out on a city trail with Sue - ummm why yes there have been Black Bear sightings on within the CITY. ACK. No bear sightings that day tho...

 I had a mid-week run with my pal Jen -

Friday, I took a road trip to go to a run in Blairmore. On the way to the run, took a few pitstops to see some of my fav sights along the way ...

... starting with Lundbreck Falls

 

...then the Burmis Tree and Leitch Collieries

...and Frank Slide

Then ran a 5 mile trail race! It was awesome single track, hella climbs and some intense downhill. I went easy knowing I had another 14km race the next day but was pleased with the feel of this race.

Was sweaty AS ever when finished, ran into my great auntie Sharon at the prize tent and had a beer. 

  Saturday was a 5 peaks race. Holy hell hot and hills! I might be smiling but there was cursing.

Sunday I did a shakeout run AFTER doing a couple reps of some hills

(it MIGHT have been hotter than a snakes ass in a wagon rut).

Then I had a Birthday party (well actually two parties - Saturday AND Sunday) to help celebrate my brothers 50th. Yes, his two lovely sisters did give him THAT card.

To cap off the week or to START this week then And then last night I ran trails AGAIN with Sue (yup - it is a standing date...)

 This is the Before, During and After shots

The view from atop Douglas Fir Trail

 

And then THIS happened.

BECAUSE.

And it was good.

 

So yeh. That was my week. I have promised myself not to stew about my pace. But know I got the miles in. And actually...it was a good week. full of #allthefab

 

HOLY CRAP IT'S ALREADY MID JULY???????????