Gear

Pockets....must have more pockets!! After spending some time studying the map for the looming Diablo Challenge 50k, I had a few realizations. One being that we are going to be out there a long time. Two being that we will be out there alone for longer sections than we have gone before w/o aid. I explained in a previous post how I have it broken up in my head, just getting from one station to the next. From the start to the first station is about 8 miles, then two 7 mile sections. Not long as far as miles go, but when we are talking about hours on end of running or climbing.....I start to worry about having enough places to stash fuel. Water, carbs, and salt become necessities, and a girls bra can only hold so much! I have the water figured out, but not the other stuff.

In an ideal (non-unemployed) world, we would have figured out and bought our gear already. We did have plans as far as this was concerned, but plans change. The needs involved w/this run did not change, however. So here's our most economical solution -

(source)

I had my eye on this for months now, tried one on at Sports Basement in San Fran, it felt very comfortable, is super light weight, although it looks ridiculous. It is not as long as it looks in the picture, I believe its 13 inches long total, so the main storage pockets at the bottom sit right on my ladies, so I will have to figure out how to adjust the straps to adjust that not so attractive look, but it will do the job.///-(update...I received it today, tried on, adjusted, love love love it! It is packed out w/2 bars, 2 packs o shot bloks, 3 packs o Sports Beans, 2 packs o Gu chomps...and still plenty o room. Adjusted it to sit more on the sides instead of front and center, looks much better and feels great!)-ordered from runningwarehouse.com - cheap and free shipping

O'neill Traveler Cargo Hybrid Short - Olive X 36
Fashion meets function. Travel through ONeill and their latest hybrid shorts. Length 22'. Buttoned zip fly, belt loops. Slash side pocket with zipped closure & a small opening for ear buds/headphones. Side cargo pockets with a bottle opener in one, compass in the other. Logo name embroidered at left leg and back pocket. Machine washable Imported 100% nylon O'neill Traveler Cargo Hybrid Short - Olive X 36 ..(source)

That's 7 pockets, people!!
It does not mention the Silver X-static XT2 technology, that is antimicrobial and odor protection.

I am so stoked that he got these, he's needed a good trail short since we started running. He's been running trails in his Hollister cargo shorts, which are great shorts, but heavy, and not an athletic material.
The new O'neill shorts look like his Hollister shorts that he loves, but feel like swim trunks and are super light.

Between the two of us, we should be a traveling aid station.

As of today, the extended forecast is for warmer than what I would like, w/4 dry days before the run....should be enough time for the trails to dry out a bit.

Happy Thoughts, Happy Thoughts, Happy Thoughts

Will it be just another one of many interviews, or the start of a new chapter???
Here's to hoping that today is "the one"...........

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Maybe we will know after interview number 2 next week.....
in the mean time he's jumping through hoops creating reports and presentations for other interviews w/other companies.....what is the deal with the interview process these days, when did it get so complicated?? 4 and 5 hour interviews with upwards of 5-8 people, presenting power point presentations w/financial reports they provide you???
I guess that is the new normal.

We will be married 15 years this September, and B worked for the same company for 14.5 of those years, he's never been unemployed until the last 6 months.....pretty crazy how things have changed over that time. The hiring process is so much more complicated now.

In 12 Days...

Shoot! Where did the past month go!! (well, actually...we know the answer to that). It did not go as planned, especially as far as the training schedule is concerned. In times like this, I am glad we have run 6 fulls previously and don't fear the 50k distance. We do not have the experience of climbing 7000+ feet combined w/31 miles, though. So I have decided that is not what this run is.

It is a series of small, hilly, but doable runs. A 9:59 hour day of these runs, in approx. miles:
8, 7, 7.5, 5, 3.1. A challenge, yes...but doable. If you are wondering, that is the distance between each of the aid stations, so its just a matter of making it from one to the next, to the next, to the next....

.....is this really only 12 days away???

Duel In the Sun

I have yet to watch this video w/o crying, I'm not sure exactly why it makes me emotional, but it sure does. (I should say, even in less stressful times in my life than the current times...it still hits me the same)

We have been able to hear Dick Beardsley (white hat in video) speak on a few occasions. 2 years ago at NVM, we were able to hear him speak about the Duel in the Sun. For those who dont' know, Duel in the Sun is a reference to the battle between Dick Beardsley and Alberto Salazar at the 1982 Boston Marathon. There is also a book by the same name, about the same thing, that was published in 2006.(This year they celebrated the anniversary of Duel in the Sun at the NVM expo, but we missed it) It is pretty amazing to watch this having had the experience of hearing him explain what he was thinking, how he was feeling, how he felt when he kicked, when he knew he wouldn't pull it off, and how it effected his life.

I watch it and I can't even imagine how it would feel to finish surrounded by all the cars, bikes, motorcycles, screaming people, cameras....watching it realizing that they are running just under 5 minute miles!! I mean, if you are reading this and you are a runner...can you imagine this sort of a finish?? Really, it wasn't' even just the finish, they ran for miles surrounded like that, neck and neck.....its a pretty amazing moment in the history of the running world!

Memorial, 2012

We started off w/half dressed kids because......

Bro Williams treated his and our family to a nice dinner out beforehand.

After the main event of the evening, we headed to a gathering at another families home for treats.
As always, it was a special evening!

The Beauty of Tea

Seeing herself for the first time.....

After I took the above picture, I showed it to her so she could see what she looked like from the back. She said, "Oh, my hair looks like Wendy's from the back!"......as in Wendy from Peter Pan...which oddly enough is about the time period I was going for : )

A few interesting tidbits about this outfit:
The Dress- I wore this dress as a flower girl in a wedding when I was about the age Sophie is now. It has been hanging in her closet for years waiting for the perfect occasion to be worn. I think it could not have been more perfect! It fit her perfectly, and was very strange to see her in it knowing I used to be exactly that same size....and knowing that I probably pranced around just like she spent the day doing.The Gloves- The gloves were my moms from her High School days. I have my moms dresses and gloves from her formals. Sophie felt very privileged to be wearing them.

The Pearls- nothing special here, those are from the Dollar Store, as are the flowers on the tray and on her hat, as well as the feathers and butterflies (butterflies on the tray).

I hope when I go, I am doing something that I love, and if I die because of it, I hope I will feel it was worth it.
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"If I were to be remembered for anything at all, I would want that to be that I am/was authentic. No Mas. Run Free!"
-Micah True, Caballo Blanco-