Even the Great Fall...Please Get Back Up!

In the first few months after giving birth I was up late one night nursing my daughter and fantasizing about my return to running. That ultra goal was constantly nagging me, and I was trying to figure out if I could continue the demands of nursing while taking on an ultramarathon training schedule. It just had to be possible. To my delight I came across two women who proved to be the very inspiration I was seeking.

Shannon Farar-Griefer....man I love this woman's story. She was very much a non-runner until an ah-ha moment while nursing her child started her on the path to becoming the woman she is today. I dove into her life story and tried finding more info specifically on if she did ultras while nursing. I found that she continued running long distances while pregnant (wish I had seen her website when I was pregnant--that would have made me a lot less anxious!) but no answer to my question.

Then I came across Robyn Flores. Her tiny little TMI paragraph at the end of her Keys 100 Mile Report gave me the inspiration I needed. I contacted her and she was nice enough to specifically answer my questions about running ultras and breastfeeding. She never responded to my followup email but that first email was practically gold to me. Her advice was a great starting point to my return to running.

After relaxin stopped making my hips feel like they would slide apart, I dove into getting my running legs back. These two women are very dear inspirations to me. I think of them constantly throughout training. I've meet only one of them. Shannon was at a health expo and introduced me to her Moeben line, probably my favorite race gear in my possession. Her Moeben line, much to my dismay, seems to be non-active as I never received responses to inquiries about starting a charity campaign with them for Team BfB, and there has been no recent activity about the company for the past 2 years.

Thanks to Facebook though I've been able to get my Shannon-fix (personal page only, Moeben appears dead with only me posting lately) and my Robyn-fix for the past year.  I have eagerly followed Shannon's quest for the Grand Slam. I was constantly checking the live feed yesterday to see her progress but she suffered a bad fall during the Western States 100 and had to drop. Love you Shannon! Heal up and get back out there! My Robyn-fix is momentarily dead too since after announcing she would again attempt the Keys 100 (very much to my excitement) she has deactivated her Facebook account.    


I wonder if either of these women ever realize how much of an inspiration they are to others?  I would probably faint if I ever got the chance to run with either of them. 

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National Running Day 2012

This is my 2^nd year celebrating National Running Day. Last year I ran it by myself. This year I was determined to involve others. I handed a few brochures around local businesses and asked my family and friends to help spread the word. Before I go any further, let me address a couple of FAQs. 

What is National Running Day? “National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.” - www.runningday.org/about/about-national-running-day

When did National Running Day start? Who started it? This one is tricky. They do not address this very well on NRD’s site but after some Googling I found another blogger who claims he received a response from NRD stating it started back in 2009 as a collaborative effort of the organizations listed on their “About” page.

What do I have to do? The core purpose is to get out and run, but part of the fun of NRD is to reflect on why you run. Their “I run…” bib logo offers a fun way to put those thoughts down in words and show others. On their website I was able to download a blank bib which I printed and brought to our local meetup as an icebreaker. There also was the option to fill out the bib virtually and share on your Facebook wall. Here was my virtual bib.

Do I have to run? No, you don’t. I encouraged people to join along for a walk. I started my running career as a walker. The running community is very friendly and having a couple people along with you and encouraging you may be just the push you need to try running.  Never judge a walker. Once during a marathon I ran I was passed by a walker. It’s true!

How did you get involved? This is a nationwide community effort so anyone, anywhere can host their own meetup. Runningday.org has all the info on what to do. Next year, go ahead and give hosting your own local meetup a go. It’s free so you have nothing to lose!

The Local Scoop

On June 6^th at 6 p.m. a group of walkers and runners joined together at Bukolt Park to run the Riverfront Trail. A total of 12 people participated: 7 adults and 5 children (3 of these children were pushed along in strollers). After taking a moment to introduce ourselves and fill out our “I run…” bibs we headed north for a 0.75 mile loop. Then we headed south and made a 1.75 mile loop.  With the loop design of this run we were able to reconnect the runners with the walkers throughout the run. The asphalt trail offered a nice flat run with beautiful river views. Along the way there were friendly people speckled all along the trail, ducks were nearby with their ducklings, a few dogs and one scared puppy were playing together along the path, and we also saw what appeared to be the start of a concert in Pioneer Park.

Meet and greet while filling out their "I run..." bibs

Local meetup at Bukolt Park for National Running Day

"I run because it's fun!" - Halie

After talking with the group I have officially decided to launch a running group here in Stevens Point, WI. Come out for a run, meet some new friends, share your stories and achieve your running goals! For more details, email me at lacidtoes@gmail.com

So, why do YOU run?

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New Kicks

A couple months ago I entered into "The World's Greatest Trail Competition" by Ecco Biom. I was chosen as a finalist with a photo from the Oriflamme preview run and a short description of my journey to becoming an ultramarathoner (or would that be ultramarathonist? haha). I didn't win the competition but I did score some new kicks and a voucher for Gore Running Wear. Check out my new kicks!

Love the reuseable canvas box

The goods 

Love the black and purple - how did they know I love these colors together?!

The heel looks crazy to me! This is very different from the minimalist shoes I've been sporting lately. But mama needed new trail shoes.

My new signature shoe pose! 

I never truly liked the traditional view of showing off your kicks from your own personal view. You only get to see the top of the shoe and as we all know the real story of the shoe is in it's sole. Here is the description of the shoe from www.eccousa.com.

• Biomechanical flexible midsole construction allows a natural running motion and perfect ground adaption
• Construction offers a perfect balance of flexibility and support
• Direct-injected PU midsole
• Excellent grip and traction on loose and muddy surfaces for the everyday adventurer
• Offers the support the foot needs combined with superb sock-like fit
• Rugged rubber outsole with specially designed traction pattern
• Stable for tough terrain without compromising on flexibility
• Yak leather uppers with a reinforced midfoot

I'm pretty excited to test these tonight. It is National Running Day afterall and I'm hosting a run in Stevens Point, WI. Hope to see you there! 

In stride with all my love,

Lacy

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