Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let the Triathlon Bite!

Never before have I had a dream about running. but everywhere I turn in runner blogland, I hear about everyone's race dreams. People describing how they showed up to the race naked, or how something horrible (or amazing) happened to them during their race dream. I never once got to experience that.

Does that make me weird? I used to think that. Like I wasn't doing it right or something. I didn't seem to share the same fears that others did before a race. I guess my mentality of "just finish it" was working a little too well.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. I registered for the Tinfoilman Triathlon in October thinking it would be the challenge that I was looking for. A few day after registering, I had my very first race dream. The first dream had the triathlon all screwed up. We started running and then switched to biking, in which I took the lead, and then finished with swimming. I won (as you should in your own dream) but I had the strangest feeling when I woke up. Was I nervous? Is this what happens when you get nervous about a race? I don't think I've ever been nervous about a race. Not until the very last minute anyway.

It wasn't even a fancy hotel. Dreams, why don't you upgrade me?

And then a few days ago, I had my second dream. But this time, the race took place inside of a hotel. Yes, inside. We went running through the halls (remember, my dreams don't understand that swimming starts first) and then we hopped on our bikes. But the manager got mad and he didn't want the bikes in his lobby. I spoke up and said, "why don't we just bike outside on the path?'. It seemed like a brilliant idea (who would have thought?), and that's when I woke up.

What do these dreams mean? I guess I could be nervous. Like I said, I have never really been nervous about a race before. Maybe I need this race? Or maybe they're telling me I'm going to fall in love with triathlons. :)

What happens in your race dreams? Have you ever had one? 

Wordless Wednesday

Sabino Festival of Routes

April 22nd, 2012:

Sabino Festival of Routes

Tucson, AZ
Choice of distance

Back in April, before the heat really hit us, I thought I would try a run in Sabino Canyon with TTR. I was a little worried about the heat but we started at 6am and I assumed it would be early enough. I went solo for this one, although I wish I had brought someone else along.

I arrived to the Sabino Canyon parking lot around 6am greeted by a circle of TTR runners. I made just before they were about to run. Phew. I'll admit I was a little nervous, thinking they wouldn't like me or something ridiculous. If they had left before I got there, I wouldn't have stuck around. Got to get to these things earlier so I won't give myself the chance to wuss out! 

And off we went! The sun was just coming up and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful run. 

Trailing behind the other TTR runners. 

I quickly fell behind knowing that I am not as seasoned as most of these other runners. I wanted to conserve energy. So I trotted behind until I lost them on the beginning of he Phoneline trail. I decided to take the Seven Falls route and check out the beginning portion  of the Bear Canyon Loop (my goal is to conquer that route this winter). I was keeping my eye on some other runners and followed them up the Phoneline trail instead of my intended route. I had to backtrack a little bit, but it didn't make that much of a difference. 

The beginning of the 7 Falls trail.

Throughout the 7 Falls run, I was constantly looking around me. I was paranoid. A lone runner, running on a trail that is known to have mountain lions, yeah...I was freaking out a bit. I kept thinking: I'm the only person out here right now. If I get attacked, no one will know. 


Yeah, I wasn't really helping myself out...

A portion of the 7 Falls trail.

Everything was so still...

On my way into the canyon. Oh my gawd...is that a MOUNTAIN LION behind me?? Jk, jk...

Just before the climb up to the start of Bear Canyon Loop.

Finally, I saw another runner. Phew! And then another one! I was okay. I really calmed down knowing there were other people out here. It helped me re-focus on my run. 

The wash was dry, as usual. 

Overlooking 7 Falls. 

I got to the trail sign above 7 Falls and followed the trail up a little bit. I plan to run this route in the winter when they host this run. However, the sun was coming up a little faster than I intended and I needed to make sure I got back before the heat really hit.

Going up the Bear Canyon Loop trail. 

The trail going back down.

It was already so hot when I got back to the trailhead. I still had about 2 miles left to go until I reached the parking lot. I know I'm Heat Runner, but running in the heat is serious business. This summer, 2 people died from heat stroke. Both were from out of town and didn't understand summer heat. So, you'll forgive me if I was freaking out a little. Which I was. Thankfully, I knew where the water faucets were so water was no problem for me. It was the sun beating down on my head, neck and back. I walked for as long as I could but soon realized it would mean I would be out here for a longer period of time. I forced myself to run the last .70 miles. Man, that was rough. 


I made it back safety though! I reached the parking lot and was greeted by lots of food and cool drinks. I went straight for the Gatorade (wasn't feeling like eating anything). I chitchatted a little with some other runners who had recently made it back. At least I wasn't the last one! Although, I was surprised to hear other runners were still out in the heat.

It was a little weird trying to make conversation with the other runners. I am, by far, the youngest person out there. I have yet to meet anyone my age. It's a little disappointing. What really doesn't help me is how much younger I actually look (I look like I'm 18). People don't take me seriously because of it. So, it's always weird going to these events and trying to make conversation. Anyone else have this problem? 


Overall, I had fun. The TTR events are usually laid back, which I don't mind. I have to mix a few those in with the big, loud, crazy running events, right? I hope to continue going to these runs, considering that I now have my weekends off. Can't wait for the next one! 


Happy Running!

Getting Fancy with the Blog

I made this new blog header! What do you think? Still having trouble adding it to this particular layout (and I'm really liking the layout, so I'm hesitant to change it). I may play around with the program some more and make a few other headers, just for kicks. Finally, it's starting to look like the other blogs....almost there.

In other news, I found a teaching job! I'm not officially announcing it on here (haven't signed a contract just yet...) but I'm really excited about it. And nervous. Definitely nervous. Sometimes, I ask myself, "what did I get myself into?" But at the same time, I'm excited to plan, teach and decorate my classroom. So, right now, I'm in a limbo of sorts, trying to figure out what I'm feeling. I'm pretty sure I'm more excited than scared, and that's a good sign. I plan on taking it one day at a time. :)

I have some photos of my runs on Mt. Lemmon from this past month. And a recap of my 11 mile training run with a new running buddy (who before that run had never run over 4 miles!). Posting them asap!

Advantages of Training on a Mountain

Finally! A chance to sit down and catch everyone up with my summer.

I did it! I graduated in May! I'm all done with school (for now, I may go to grad school in the future...) and I'm looking on to new job prospects. I am applying for full time at my current job so I hope that works out! *crossing my fingers*

Otherwise, I've been pretty busy. I'm working at summer camp right now on Mt. Lemmon as a counselor and manager, so it's been a little hectic. Haven't had time to post any updates. :/ 

But I've definitely been running! While I'm not specifically training for anything, I've found there are some benefits to living and running on a mountain. 

Advantage #1: The temperature difference! Compared to Tucson (with an current unbelievable high of 115), Mt. Lemmon is much cooler (high temps range from the 70's to the 80's). While there are still days that feel just too darn hot, the air definitely feels cooler and it makes for a nicer run. 

Advantage #2: Trail running! When I'm down in Tucson, I have to carve my own trails in the wash. But up here, there are a vast number of trails I can run.  I love that feeling of running free on a trail in the middle of a forest. 

A trail near Ski Valley. 

Advantage #3: Running buddies! I have a hard time getting people to run with me in Tucson. Not sure why this is. But at camp, I am surrounded with female counselors who love to get outside and exercise. It's never too difficult to find a running buddy (or 3 or 4). Also, we have a bear/mountain lion problem in the area and are discouraged to run alone. Fine with me. I love having someone to run with. Makes the time go by faster and the miles fly by!

Fellow counselors who share my love for running, thank goodness! 

Advantage #4: The strength training! Running at 8,000 feet isn't the easiest thing. First of all, the trails are never flat. This means a lot of uphill running. Usually, this wouldn't be a problem, but remember you are up 8,000 feet. So, breathing gets harder with less oxygen at that altitude as well. While the workout is tough, I feel stronger and stronger with every run. 

Advantage #5: The views! Running on top of a mountain gives you some spectacular views. It's always a nice reward for a difficult run. :)

A view of Tucson. 

So, if you ever have the option of choosing a cool mountain for training versus the summer heat, I recommend opting for the mountain choice. I have a feeling you would anyways. ;)

UPDATE: 3 Weeks until I Graduate!

Hey all. Just wanted to update you on my life. :)

3 WEEKS is all that remains of my college life.  I am extremely happy that I have come this far, but in all honestly, I am ready to move on with my life. Over the past few months, I have created a list of all the things I want to do when I graduate. Some of the things on my list include many running adventures (including a trail marathon, a triathlon and an ultra), volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Humane Society, and road trips to visit as many National Parks as possible.

I am extremely excited to start blogging again. I can't wait to fill you in on all the trail running I've been doing. I have banned myself from writing any lengthy blog posts until I graduate, just so I stay focused. I feel like I'm tapering. It's awful. I've been reading all of your blogs to keep me excited. It's definitely been working, maybe a little too much. For example, this last Monday, I was studying for a test when I said "screw this!" and went for a trail run in Sabino Canyon instead.

I am trying very hard to stay focused but graduation is so close I can taste it. And I just want to be done. And I just realized today that I can make the rest of the TTR runs until they end in July. How is that news going to to keep me focused? It's not. News like that makes me the happiest little runner girl around. :D And it makes me want to keep running and training and have all sorts of running adventures.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I will keep focused for these last few weeks. Send me good vibes. See you soon. Can't wait! :)

Tortolita Mountain Loop and 7 Falls Trail Run

Lately, i've been torn between my finals months of school and updating my blog. I really love this blog and all the other running/trail running/triathlete blogs out there. But I only have 3 months of my undergrad left. 3 months!

I know, I'm pretty excited about it. So, bear with me as I concentrate on my homework and graduating in May. As soon as I graduate, I swear to you, I will be a blogging machine! :)

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A few weeks ago, I ran my very first "race" with TTR (Tucson Trail Runners). I say "race" because you don't pay an entry fee, there are no awards, it's just a cool group of trail runners planning weekend runs and tracking everyone times. Really fun and it's kind of a big deal to me, the main reason being that most of them are ultra runners. I'd love to build up to this running level one day. 

The run was in the Tortolita Mountains (west of Tucson). I brought Chance along with me (with much protesting from him). We left around 6:45am. This was where I ruined everything. It starts promptly at 7am (didn't realize that) and we ended up getting there at 7:15am. FAIL. Then, I realized I forgot my Garmin. SECOND FAIL. So, by the time we started running, I just wasn't feeling it. My first run with them and I screw it up. 

On our way into the mountains. 

The old ranger station.

The start of the difficult climb up...

We set out on the trail in the early morning, running after the rest of the group (who are way ahead of us at this point). We run in the wash for awhile, arrive at an old ranger station from the 20's, and then make the ascent. This is a hard run! That climb took everything out of me! We didn't even make it 3 miles when I said "screw this!".  

Happy to be heading back...

We headed back down. We were the first to arrive back after 6 miles. I talked to the RD (run director) for awhile and then Chance and I went to breakfast with his parents. I feel bad about giving up so quickly, but some days you just don't feel it. Know what I mean? In the end, I didn't feel so terrible about turning around. I can't be a trail running pro on my very first run... 

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On a another note....

I ran to 7 Falls a few weeks ago! 

Big deal for me. Hiked this trail in high school all the time. It was usually an all day thing. Then, I decided to run 1 mile into the trail. And I just kept going. I couldn't stop. I didn't want to stop. I was having so much fun. And I felt awesome. The whole run was about 2 hours for 8.5 miles. I did a lot of looking around, and I spent a bit of time at the falls. 

Some rocks to guide the way.
There were a TON of river crossings...

Love this trail, nice and shaded at times.
But you have to watch out for snakes...

Another river crossing.

One day, I'll take this trail.
It takes off just before you get to the falls. I think it's a 15 mile loop. 

7 Falls. During the warmer months in high school,
I would  go swimming in the pools. 

On the way back...

I think I was just so amazed I made it there in the time that I did. It's so beautiful to watch the falls..so peaceful. :)