On my way home to Boise from Dick Beardsley’s Marathon Running Camp in Waubun, Minnesota, I captured some thoughts about this year’s camp while they were fresh on my mind. For me, it’s easier to “process” the experiences at camp when camp is over rather than while it’s happening.

One of the first things that comes to me – as a way to describe the experience – is that at camp, we “live deliberately.” I know that quoting Thoreau is cliché, but maybe there’s something about staying in a cabin by a lake that initially makes me think of Walden (even though Thoreau’s “cabin” was about a mile from where he grew up).

And, living deliberately is what we do at camp.

Because we are in such a remote place, we have spotty cell phone coverage, limited wi-fi, and no cable tv in our cabins. We are not totally cut off from the outside world, but for 6 days, we are pretty much unconcerned with what’s going on outside Rainbow Resort.

We immerse ourselves in the actual experiences.

Our first run of the week was an easy 4-mile jaunt through the woods on a grassy trail. It had rained the night before, and there were still a few puddles in some low spots. Our first inclination when we encounter a mud puddle is to try to avoid it. I remember thinking as I plowed through the mud puddles – you don’t really experience the puddle unless your feet get a little wet. And, as I felt the water seep through the toe of my shoe, I actually felt a little more energized.

Later, that night, we were treated to “Dick Beardsley In Concert.” Although Dick probably won’t be taking his concert “on the road,” he writes and sings songs from his heart; and courageously, he shared some deeply personal experiences with us as we sat and listened … totally immersed in his music.

Our second run was a “quality workout” with Coach Bill. Although not an “active” Marine, Bill will tell you that there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine. And, his workouts remind us of his point. Warming up with lunges, squats, pushups, and hovers (to name a few things), we then head out to a flat stretch of road where we warm up again with stride outs before running a timed mile. But that’s not all. After the timed mile, we jog down the road about a mile and a half to “learn how” to and practice hill repeats. Talk about “sucking marrow from the bone” – Thoreau would definitely approve of Coach Bill’s workouts.

Thank goodness for the principle of hard-easy workouts. Our next run was a recovery run – it was back on the serene trails for an easy fun run. You might think that with a group of runners – who “paid” to come to a running camp – that it would be a little difficult to run easy and take walk breaks and chat with their new running partners. But there’s something about being surrounded by people who, like ourselves, not only love to talk about running but also love to experience it. And, I think that even some of the hardcore runners were able to “experience” their runs more deeply in our easy group trail runs than they had before they came to camp.

Since we had a half marathon coming up on Saturday, we didn’t schedule a Friday run. However, in a rare historic event, Joe Henderson led a group of campers on a truly special early morning run.

Friday was especially fun as we had Kathrine Switzer, pioneer and champion of women’s running, spending the day with us. Kathrine was the “legend” this year at the “Running with the Legends” Dick Beardsley Half Marathon.

Race day dawned, and the constant rain from the day before gave way to blue skies and cool temperatures. Campers and coaches all piled into cars and drove 45 minutes to Detroit Lakes for the Dick Beardsley Half Marathon and 5K. We had runners in both events – with one camper running his first half marathon and one running his first race ever! Uplifted by a week of positive energy, camaraderie, and good health, we all “experienced” a gorgeous run around the lake. As each runner finished, we gathered at the sideline to cheer on every single runner who crossed the finish line.

As it came time for camp to end, we started feeling the pull of reality. Six days in the Minnesota woods is a perfect amount of time to spend at a running camp, but it was time now to go home to jobs, families, friends, and running in our own town. Amid hugs and farewells, we know we’ll see each other again this time next year.

One of our former campers aptly said of Dick’s camp…”We came to camp to become better runners; we left camp better people.”

What has 16,000 and 10,200 feet of climbing, snakes, deer, bears, and 30+ people crazy enough to get up on a Saturday morning in August … to have some fun in the Boise National Forest?

That would be the Wild Idaho 50K and 50-Mile Endurance Runs. Nothing wimpy about these races! WIFKER/WIFMER was the brain child of wild man Trail Thrasher Ben Blessing. And Ben was counting his “blessings” as race day weather turned out perfect. You can check out the official results along with photos of the runners at http://runwildidaho.com.

I didn’t run it this year, but I arrived on the scene around 3 pm to start my shift at the Skunk Creek Road Aid Station. This was the turnaround for the 50K runners before they headed back DOWN the mountain to the finish line (7.5 miles away). The 50-milers got to come to our station twice, once around mile 33.5 and again around mile 43. Although they looked great the first time we saw them, they were even happier the 2nd time because they only had 7.5 miles more to go.

The climbs can only be described as “heinous,” but the scenery made it worth the climbs. (I can say this because I’ve run the 2nd half of the course – I’m sure the first half was quite beautiful also.) The scenery may not have been much consolation as the runners were dog tired on the climbs, but they all agreed at the finish line that it was indeed a spectacular course, in every sense of the word.

Next to actually running the race, I love working an aid station. I have done enough trail ultras to know how the runners feel, and sometimes, they just need someone who understands.

Ben did a super job as race director. An ultrarunner himself, he created the event from an ultrarunner’s viewpoint – ok, a crazy ultrarunner, but an ultrarunner nonetheless. He recruited family and friends to help support the runners…and by the time the race was over, everyone – runners, their families, and the volunteers – was part of the “family.”

With 30 runners, you know there were many stories. I didn’t get to see all the runners pass through our aid station, but I saw a lot. My friends Donna (with pacer Sparkle) and Heather finished their first 50Ks, and my friend Sam finished his first official 50-miler. Veteran ultrarunner Lynette used WIFMER as a training run in preparation for her 2nd 100-miler, the Bear (rated by Marathon & Beyond as the 5th hardest 100 in the US). Another crazy man, Dennis, rode his bike 90 miles to the race, was the Sweeper for the 50-miler, then rode his bike back home the next morning. Paul and Emily were additional support sweepers helping other runners – both also ran the whole course.

Although I didn’t know all the runners personally, I “know” who they are. They are the folks who keep going when they would really like to stop. They are the folks who believe that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. They are the folks who stop to help a fellow runner who is struggling. They are the folks who fall down 7 times and get up 8. They are the folks who “dial in” a distance and have the perseverance and heart to reach their goal. They are ultrarunners.

Congratulations to ALL the runners in the WIFKER & WIFMER.

Last weekend, I went with two friends (Joan and Sparkle) to a trail running camp for women in the Colorado Rockies. We arrived with 2 friends; we left with 15 more. Spending 3 days running trails in the mountains with 17 other women is a definite bonding experience.

Elinor Fish, editor of Trail Runner magazine, was the camp director, as well as an accomplished trail runner herself. In fact, she is running her first 100-miler in a few weeks at Leadville! Nothing like starting with one of the hardest 100s around (I would know a little about that). She had two additional people on staff: Tam, a personal trainer and Xterra champion; and Wendy, a yoga instructor and trail runner. Elinor and her “team” did a spectacular job of planning and executing the camp.

The women at the camp represented 7 states – Idaho, Colorado, California, Washington, Kansas, Nevada, Indiana – and all came with different backgrounds, experiences, and inspiring stories. Many of the women had never run at altitude like we encountered in the Rockies. Our first run was a little challenging, but by day 2, we had somewhat acclimated, and our run was much more comfortable (or at least manageable).

The scenery was breathtaking (and not just because of the altitude), and the comraderie was uplifting. We had healthy meals, yoga sessions, massages, and amazing trail runs – indeed, a magical weekend retreat.

As we all became friends, we already have plans to meet up at trail runs across the country and open invitations for places to stay as we travel to run.

Thanks to Elinor, her team, and to all the other campers for a great mountain trail experience.

25 years and going strong … another successful Shaffer Butte 50-Mile Endurance Run. Race Director Frank Hanson put on a terrific 25th anniversary event despite his broken collar bone.

This was my first year to be involved with the run, and I started by being a volunteer crew member. Last weekend, my husband Mark crewed for me for 14+ hours at the Blackfoot Ultra 100K, and I figured it was my turn to do the same for some other runners.

The day started early with runners gathering for a 5 a.m. start. It was raining and chilly, and the rain continued for about half the day. It was totally foggy driving up to Deer Point where we were setting up our aid station. It was probably a good thing it was so foggy because I couldn’t see the dropoff on the side of the mountain in the dark and pouring rain. One after another the runners made their way to the Deer Point aid station, soaking wet … but all of them came up the road with smiles on their faces.

I was so inspired by this hardcore group of ultrarunners. Undaunted by the rainy, muddy conditions, they all were cheerful and having a great time…doing what they love to do…running the trails and hills.

I might have been new to this group of super ultrarunners, but they graciously welcomed me. Runners are like that…and ultrarunners even more so. Although I would have really loved to have been running with them, I think it’s good for all of us every now and then to volunteer for an event in order to fully appreciate the support crews that help us in our races.

Congratulations to all the Shaffer Butte runners! Next year, I’ll be out there running with them.

Getting started…getting finished. Both ends of a journey require dedication and passion.

Two days ago, I ran all day – 13 hours, 42 minutes – to complete my first 100K (62 miles) trail race. Forty-five people were signed up for the race; 32 finished – 26 men, 6 women. The weather was perfect, the course was beautiful (plus extremely challenging), the volunteers were spectacular…and 62 miles is a long way to run.

The race consisted of 4 loops of 15.5 miles (25K) each. Although each loop was run over the same trail, no two loops were the same. There were very few flat sections on the course – you were either running up or down the whole time. And, when there was a short flat, the next hill was in sight. It was anything but boring.

The two elevation maps taken from my GPS are typical examples of the terrain – each is a one-mile segment of the course.

Although none of the individual climbs were brutal, total ascent for all 62 miles was about 12,000 feet. The total descent was about the same. We had to work the whole time – not too much relaxing and getting into a running rhythm.

But flat, easy paths do not build muscle. Flat, easy paths do not build character. Flat, easy paths do not challenge us. Flat, easy paths do not teach us life lessons.

Between us and anything significant, giants will be in our path. And each loop, the same hills seemed to get bigger. But there’s no going “around” the hills to avoid them – they have to be taken head on.

There was never a point in the race where I wanted to stop. That’s not to say there were not rough patches – there were many, and especially in the 4th loop, I could have sworn the number of hills doubled in both number and size.

I didn’t sign up for this race thinking it would be easy. And, it wasn’t easy. And, I didn’t go all the way to Canada to not finish what I set out to do. I was dedicated and passionate about reaching this milestone in my quest to run 100 miles this September.

Passion is what helps you when you have a great dream. Passion breeds conviction and commitment.  Passion is what motivates others to join you in your pursuit of your dream.

Thanks to all of you who have been with me in my pursuit with your good thoughts, good energy, and support. Thanks for helping me finish what I start.

Here I am – back on this topic again. I talked to my friend Michael yesterday who ran the Napa Valley Marathon on Sunday. Tired, thrilled, and worn out, Michael was still jazzed about his adventure from Calistoga to Napa Valley.

In our post-race recap, he told me how Bonnie had run with him for a large portion of the race and supported him in his rough patches. (We all have rough patches in our races.) He also told me how Bill took the finish line race photos – a role Michael is accustomed to playing. And, he talked of all the folks who were out there cheering him: Joe, Jan, Dick, Jill, Mary, and more.

Bottom line: It is running that has brought us all together. If it were not for Dick’s running camp, I would not know Michael, Jan, Bill, Joe, Mary, Anita, Kathy, or even Dick. If it were not for my running group in Chicago, I would not know Lori, Joan, Roz, Trina, Sherri, or Jim. If it were not for Boise RunWalk, I would not know Mike, Steve, Matt J, Ann, Sparkle, Matt B, Bob, Amber, or Jay. And there are so many others – I can’t even begin to name them all.

I have met runners through running groups, camps, on Facebook, on Twitter, and other running forums. We are all connected by that one thing that we all love to do: Run. We all know when the other ones are running a race, and we all wait to hear the post-race report. Was it hilly? Was it hot? Was it raining? But the main thing we all want to know is “Did you have fun?” And, strange as it may sound, even after what seemed like a awful day as it was happening – the pain, the struggle, the heat, the wind, the cold – when it’s over, we miraculously feel terrific. The magic of crossing that finish line is the (almost) instant cure for all ailments and weather conditions. And, the answer to “Did you have fun?” is almost always, “It was awesome!”

I am so proud of Michael – he had a wonderfully tough day – as we all do in so many of our races. He did the “under 5 thing” and by my account, he won his race. And, in a note he wrote to me – in reference to his running friends, he says, “You people are the best people I know…”

Way to go, Michael – you’re the best, too!

While we were sleeping peacefully in our warm beds, the Mt Kilimanjaro trekkers were making their way to the Mountain Top inch by inch. Here are the two latest reports from Didi:

“Meredith called this morning (Monday).  The phone is still working.  They are on the Shira plateau.  Everyone is doing fine, no sickness at all.  Jenny & Cindy, Laurie wants her family to know she is feeling great at 13,000 feet, and the expedition team is wonderful.  Meredith said they were managing to keep clean, but it is getting colder and that will be more difficult to do.  The weather has been good for trekking.  I told Meredith to call on Wednesday and then again on Saturday to try and conserve battery power.  That stair climbing in Chicago seems to have helped them all.

“Meredith called this morning (Wednesday), and we talked for about 30 seconds. We are trying to conserve battery power.  Hope it lasts for a call on Saturday after they summit!! Today was the day they scrambled up the steep “Barranco Wall” and they all made it.  Everyone from the Chicago group is still feeling fine and doing great.  Last night a couple of older guys from Oregon had altitude sickness and had to head back down the mountain.  Our girls are doing great though.  Meredith will not even try and call the next couple of days.  Between low battery and cloud cover it isn’t worth the chance.  Let’s hope we hear from them on Saturday.”

I actually have 2 updates on the Kilimanjaro hikers. Didi writes:

“I heard from Meredith about 5:30am central time.  They transported the group to their base camp.  Meredith was impressed with the tents, they have wooden floors!!!  I’m not sure if the floors go with them up the mountain.  They were getting ready to go for a two hour hike to warm up and stretch out the legs.  Meredith said they were being spoiled.  They deserve it.  Today, they even get to take showers.  Apparently there are two groups of 12 going and 45 porters.  I believe they are in good hands. According to Meredith, you can see Mt. Kilimanjaro off in the distance, far away in the clouds.  It sounds pretty awesome.

“Heard from the trekkers this morning.  All is well.  Today was a perfect weather hiking day but they expect it to start getting colder.  I think Meredith said they took a ‘shower’ today.  The meals are gourmet so they are eating and storing up energy.  Everyone is doing really  well.  Yesterday, they saw monkeys in the rain forest.  The mountain seems a liitle closer but also  higher.  The battery on the satellite phone is running low (rather dissapointing) so I’m not sure how much longer we will hear from the group.”

New Year. New Challenges. New Goals.

I always hear Zig Ziglar in my head when I think of goals: “You gotta have a goal.” Goals give us direction. Goals give us something to strive for. Goals motivate us. Reaching a goal is great, but working towards the goal is even better.

Several years ago, my friend Roz gave me a framed print which is probably one of my favorite prints I’ve ever had. It is a drawing by Sybil Shane, an artist who explores the extraordinary found within the ordinary. The title is “Toward the Mountain Top Inch by Inch.” I keep it in a visible spot where I can look at it everyday. And I’m reminded that things worth achieving take time and patience.

I thought of another friend today as I looked at the print. My friend Lori is in Africa right now climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. (more…)

Last Sunday’s City of Trees Marathon could never have happened without the help of the many volunteers along the course. And, most volunteers are folks who are either athletes themselves or a family member of an athlete. Most likely, they have been in a race and on the receiving end of the service the volunteers provide.

Being a volunteer is also great way to watch a race. You get to see the dedication and determination of all the athletes – from the beginning to the end. Although all athletes appreciate the volunteers, it’s often those athletes at the back of the pack who need and appreciate the volunteers more than ever.

In my experience as a volunteer/supporter, I feel like the athletes give me more than I give to them. They inspire and motivate me, and I continue to be awed by their accomplishments.

My friends at Boise RunWalk had an aid station around mile 20 – generally a pretty tough point in the marathon. And, I can say with certainty that their cheerful encouragement helped many athletes push through this rough patch. Cheers to the mile 20 Boise RunWalk volunteers! You are the best!