It's Official!

I got my team recommitment papers which means it is official- I will be running my first marathon on October 23rd! How exciting! That means I have to be running on schedule with the team- so today I put in a good run before work.
The other thing it means is that I really need to up the fundraising efforts- I'm about $1200 from goal. If anyone reading this has any fundraising ideas pleas let me know!

Clarksburg

This weekend my team had practice in Clarksburg- which I had never heard of before. It turns out to be a cute little town way south on I-5, right after Freeport. Its right on the river and has some huge houses and as I learned, some crazy mosquitos.
After talking to my coach I decided I would take her advice and do intervals- 3 minute runs with 45 second walks. My distance was roughly 10 miles. It was a good practice- met a few people I hadnt talked to before. Its great when you can run that distance and carry on a conversation- makes the time fly and you forget about how far your going.
Another great thing was that there was a perfect breeze- its been so hot here lately that the breeze felt great!
After the run the back of my leg had a big old bump on it- I got bit by a mosquito (I think) and it must of been a super mosquito because I have never had such a big reaction from one before. I also got bit a couple times on the arm- but not as bad.
I am so glad that my foot feels better and I can get back to business with this training. It was very depressing being unable to workout wit the team and I have been stressed that I wouldnt make it to race day- but I feel better now.

Big Sur Pictures!

I thought I would post some more pictures from our hike in Big Sur. The beach pictures are from where we hiked after our horrible hike. The horrible hike from hell went rhough that grassy picture. Just imagine all the rattlesnakes in there!

Hiking in Big Sur (Day Two) AKA Nightmare Hike From Hell

On Sunday we planned to go on the Molera State Park Loop. This is an 8 mile hike that has view of the ocean. So we packed up camp and headed over to the park.

We should have known better when all the ranger said to us when we entered was “The trail is very overgrown with poison oak. Be careful.” We asked him a few questions about the trial but he didn’t tell us anything except for the fact that we should be careful of the poison oak.

We figured he was just an idiot, so we got our stuff together and headed out on the trail. The beginning of the trail was awesome. You have to cross over this little river on a wooden plank bridge. As soon as we got off the bridge we were greeted with a sign that gave a choice of paths: beach trail or river trail. So of course we had to look at our map and try and figure out which one to go on and the map was so horrible because it didn’t tell us which one would take us to our trail.

So we had to hike back to the stupid idiot ranger who pointed us in the right direction.

So we are on the trail and it seems like a nice trail. Our spirits are high, excited to be going on this great hike in such a beautiful area.

The poison oak was everywhere- fields of it. I have never seen so much of it in my entire life. Luckily we were wearing long pants and boots. Plus, the trail was wide enough it didn’t worry me too much.

Suddenly the trail started to climb, and as we climbed we left the really lush valley and got into a dry, hot hillside. Pretty steep- and the trail shortened drastically. Now you may be thinking, “Linsey are you sure you were on the right trail?” Yes, I am SURE we were on the right trail.
So, about then I was thinking- “hmmm I hope that this trail gets prettier..….. I want to see the ocean!”

Then I was interrupted by my own scream as a RATTLESNAKE crossed the trail! AHHHHH! Just thinking about it gives me goose bumps.
Now, I have seen rattlesnakes before, but never on a trail so narrow that you have turn sideways to get by and never when I was literally surrounded by poison oak. So now I am trying to keep my cool and I can’t because I suddenly remember the sign at the park entrance that said “Beware of poison oak. Beware of rattlesnakes.” AHHH! All I can imagine are rattlesnakes everywhere, waiting to strike!

We decided to be brave and keep hiking, after all, we had already gone like 2 miles and we had been looking forward to this hike for a long time. We knew if we just kept going we would soon be out of the crappy part of the trail and onto the picturesque parts we had read about.
Both of us were on edge now and neither of us were having fun. My hiking buddy was cursing at the trail and I was jumping at every lizard I saw. Finally we got to a nice shady part of the trail and I figured we would now enter a new pretty portion of the trail.
I was wrong. First, part of the trail was damaged- a bridge was broken and poles were sticking up out ready to make us human shish ka bobs. Then we rounded a bend and saw the trail wind ahead of us- more of the same- if not worse.
After a good discussion and some more cursing, we decided to turn around and head back, not wanting to go any further into the crappy trail before us.

Finally we made it down the trail and decided to walk to the Beach Trail so we could get a view of the ocean. The beach was very pretty but by this point we both decided we had enough of hiking and decided to go to Monterey and hang out on the wharf. Much safer.
I look forward to running on pavement with no rattlesnakes or poison oak.

Hiking in Big Sur: Buzzards Roost

This weekend instead of going to my normal team practice b I went camping in Big Sur. It was a great camping trip- it is so pretty down there and it was so nice just to chill out and relax. With my move coming up and all the fundraising I have left this summer, this is the only weekend I have free to camp!
We decided to hike Buzzards Roost in the Pfeiffer Big Bur State Park. This is about a 4 mile hike and starts just off the campground. The trail is very pretty- going through the redwoods and climbing up to the top of a peak where you have views of the ocean. While the hike wasn’t too difficult, it took more exertion than I thought the view was worth. If you decide to hike this trail, just hike to the point where the loop begins. You’ll skip the tough climb and you wont miss much- in my opinion the hike through the forest was much nicer than the hike on the peak. Nice and shady and soooo pretty.
Needless to say- swimming in the river felt great after getting all hot from the hike.

AHHH! SNAKES????

So I just read an email from Coach Nancy, "keep your eyes out for those slithery little guys! We will be very close to Folsom Lake, and as you know, snakes are attracted to the water. Hopefully I haven't scared you off. You have just as great of chance of meeting up with critters on the bike path." AHHHH! Great! really just what I need! This reminds me of the footage I saw today of a 600 pound marlin atacking a guy while he is fishing...I'll put a link up here when I have time. Anyways its a crazy video. Hopefully I dont come back from Sundays workout with snake stories to tell you.

Back to training (foot now works)

So good news- my foot seems to be healed and now I am going to start running again with the team on Sat. This time I'll be super good about stretching and resting. I'm not looking forward to running in this heat but then again I only have like 3 months till the marathon so I better get moving! Back to early morning wake ups to run before the heat sets in! I am very happy that my foot doesn't hurt anymore though because it was really annoying not being able to do anything!

Self diagnosis

Fourth of July weekend was a fun time. Lots of BBQ and sun. I wanted to do the Sacramento 5K but sadly, my foot is still giving me some trouble. I think that I have Plantar fasciitis. It is a common thing for runners. Until I feel healed enough to get back on the running trail, I have to focus on fundraising. I have a flea market day scheduled for Sunday. I'm hoping to raise a few hundred dollars. Many people have been nice enough to give me stuff to sell as a donation.
In addition, donations are being mailed back to me from my letter and email campaign and I'm looking into a few other fundraising possibilities..... If you have any suggestions please let me know! I'm about 1/3 of the way to my fundraising goal.....