Running with Tonks

 There is a lot to get twisted up about right now: Things look a bit different.  multiple course changes, more out-and-backs single serve everything at aide stations fewer aide stations crew restrictions, will only see them every 18 miles  saying goodbye to high fives and hugs along course smaller crew, fewer pacers anxiety about flying and breathing in recycled air no before and after parties masks at aide stations   lots of hand sanitizer (ok, this one is probably a good idea in any year) plus all the normal anxiety provokers at this point: the dreaded taper, final decisions and packing.  This 100 miler is like a Picasso painting.  It's all mixed up with hard angles and twisted perspectives but just like a Picasso, it is going to be beautiful in its own way.  The RD sent us all t-shirts with "We're All In This Together" about a month ago.  The passion for this race is impossible not to see.  No one would jump through so many hoops to m...

This post is half about running, half about life and all about how we have absolutely no control over anything. Two nights ago I lay in bed for three hours before falling asleep.  What was I doing? Worrying about things I can not control.  Running: As of a month ago the Yeti 100 was a go.  They sent out the Runners' Handbook and I got all giddy.  Three days ago the race director posted a video of the kick ass Yeti socks with the caption, "2020 Yeti Race Participant socks . If we get to race." Saying my heart sank when I read that last bit is a cliche but it's true.  It was like I was a balloon and someone deflated me. (Not even the fun kind of balloon deflation with helium and funny voices.)   It was the first time he even hinted at the possibility of having to cancel it.  Like he is trying to warn us to soften the blow.  Some runs are already a struggle and this is a big hit against motivation. I mean I will always do the plan because the race...

Bringing up the rear. Lucky Last. DFL. The Red Lantern Award. However you put it, I was the last person to cross the finish line on Saturday.  This was my first time  being chased by cutoffs and to be honest, it is NOT a good feeling.  What WAS a good feeling?  Crossing that finish line was pretty f***ing fantastic. Bears Ears Ultra 54k by Mad Moose Events. Like most industries, COVID has not been kind to the running world.  COVID reared its ugly head at the start of our usual season shutting down all of our events.  When I saw the post that Utah gave MadMoose permission (with many restrictions) to put on the inaugural Bears Ears 54k and 30k, I got super excited.  I was desperate for a real, in-person event.  I signed up almost immediately. I usually choose my big events meticulously by making comparison charts and taking my time with the decision.  Now here is the funny part.  If you know me, you know I like trail running ...

Just Pressed Submit on the Lottery Like many aspects of life, the running community has been flipped on its head.  This post is about my experience over the last six months... It all started back on January 1st.  It was the morning of my 40th birthday and I jumped off the metaphorical cliff.  I put my name in the lottery for my first 100 mile race.  I would like to say that I forgot about it and was pleasantly surprised on lottery day.  Newsflash: I am not that cool. For the next seven days, I daydreamed of race day and started to make mental adjustments to my year as 2020 would be full of serious training with no social life (little did I know the coming reality of this concept).  As lottery day approached I started to panic...I started to play the what if game.  What if I didn't get in?!? It was a horrifying thought.  On the evening before the lottery (next day at noon), I decided to make an action plan in the event that I did not ge...