Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 2011!

 Just thought I'd share our holiday letter-and the photos we used in our greeting postcard. I'll be posting some 2011  running wrap up/welcome 2012 after Christmas...But for now-Merry Christmas!

George and I post Turkey Trot 4 Miler in November

George on the New River in August 2011.

Annette and teammate Pam Smith at World 100km Championships-September 2011

Mama Grey at play

Dear Friends, Family, and Kindred Spirits,

If you are reading this we’ve all survived another year filled with joy, challenge, celebration and anticipation of weekends and days doing what we love to do! Don’t get me wrong-we both really like what we do for work (most of the time anyway), yet days to play hard, or just hang out, don’t come often enough.

George continues to work hard for the New River. He’s been traveling more than ever this year-zipping around the 3-state watershed and spent a week in Milwaukee at a conference. Again this past summer he headed up the New River Expedition, paddling from the headwaters in NC to the end in WV. The event raises awareness of human impact, offers communities lots of opportunities to help clean the river, raises money for NCNR, and is meant to be tons of FUN!

George has further developed his whitewater skills and kayaks and canoes whenever he gets a chance. He is also teaching himself to fly fish. I think as long as George gets to hang out by a river, he will be a happy man! Don’t get me wrong, he still hikes, occasionally runs & bikes, and can sit on the couch for a ball game like a champ, yet it is on the water is where he comes alive!

Annette continues her work as a school counselor, with all the budget cuts and getting added responsibilities she is working at least 8 more hours a week than this time last year, just to survive at work. She is, thankfully, still able to manage quality time for running and training.

Running highlights for Annette this year were setting a course record at North Face’s Bear Mountain 50Miler in NY in May, running a 3:01:30 marathon at the World Master’s Marathon Championships in July in CA, and representing the United States with Team USA at the 100km World Championships in Winschoten, Netherlands in September, where she came in 6^th (7:54:59) and helped USA win a silver medal.

We spent a week together in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park in July and camped, hiked, postholed and skid down snowfields at 11,000+ feet. Big mountains are fun!

Mama Grey is as fabulous and crazy as ever! We can’t believe we’re about to spend our 5^th Christmas together!

Although we both still enjoy winemaking, gardening and canning-work life has gotten in the way a little more this year, so we have less to “brag” about in that department…(Though if any of you are around come July of 2012, the cranberry semi-sweet wine should be in it’s prime!)

Happy Holidays and Happy 2012!

Love,

Annette and George

Wilmington Road Runners Turkey Trot: Carolina Beach State Park, 11/26/2011

A cloudy sunrise poking through taken from our ocean balcony just before 7 am this morning!

George’s brother Chris and our sister in law Nikki and their awesome daughter Skylar recently moved from NY to Carolina Beach, NC. Since  George and Chris’ parents were going to celebrate Thanksgiving with the newly relocated Santucci’s , George and I took the opportunity to visit Carolina Beach for the 1^st time together (George is a return visitor, me a newbie).

Since this is to be a brief post, I won’t ramble as usual!(For real!)

My personal goal, besides lots of beach walking, quality time with family and trying not to over indulge with food and drink, was to run the age I turned today over the course of the weekend, and to have it be stress-free (not having to forfeit sleep or sneak in runs here and there). It turned out great!

We stayed ½ mile from Chris and Nikki’s  at Golden Sands Motel…we were on the 6^th floor w/ a balcony and great view of the ocean. (Ocean sounds were great too, when the balcony door was opened!).

We arrived at Carolina Beach around 1pm on Thanksgiving. Dinner was to start around 3pm so George went beach walking as I started my move towards a strategic 45 in 4 days with limited scheduling…I won’t prolong the details, yet will say I enjoyed running on flat, next to colorful houses and intermittently hearing the sea, depending on wind strength and direction.

Friday was a mix of running, hanging with Skylar, Nikki and Charlene before eating fresh fish caught by George that evening for supper.

Saturday was a treat: We learned of a trail run put on by the Wilmington Road Runners on Saturday, their version of an island Turkey Trot. Both George and I entered. What a great time! Very curvy and filled with pine straw and areas of deep sand, I was both in and out of my element at the same time!

I started out conservatively, waiting for my hamstring to scream, only it didn’t. It simply whined. So I keep increasing my effort and loving it! I wound up 19 seconds behind 29 year old race favorite and local superstar Melanie Lenk for a 2^nd place open women’s finish and 1^st masters. It felt great to work hard again! Full results here: http://www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org/raceresults/2011/Turk11ovr.txt

Fast guy Glen, George and I happy to represent the mountains on a coastal run!

George did great! He does not run regularly, yet has the strength and metabolism to toe the line for single digit trail runs and do wonderfully even if not in running shape. This is what he did on Saturday. Go Georgio, go!

George in the final 50 feet to go! (What happened to your right lower leg?

The coolest thing, I think, about this run was that Glen Bailey, 17, who I know and who attends Ashe County High School, where I work, also ran and achieved 2^nd place for the guys!  Glen was All-State Cross Country this year. I really value the photo above of the tiny contingent that so well represented the Northern Mountains (Glen especially)!

George and I left Carolina Beach 7:30 am today and stopped at Olmsted State Park on I-40 for some leg moving on the route home. I was happy to run in a tank and shorts, quite possibly for the last time in weeks as winter weather encroaches on the Appalachian Mountains!

Next up for me? Many months ago I registered for the CrookedRoad 24 Hour. Despite my recent time off from running, I am considering starting the event and see what unfolds. I  hope to use my smarts to not over due it…and with it being just sub a 1 mile loop, will not put anyone in harms way if I need to quit! I will make a decision within 48 hours…

I wish to thank all of you sincerely who sent happy 45th B'day wishes to me today! You all make me feel really special and looking forward to sharing time on mixed surfaces running with folks!

Adding on and Sharing Miles… Bit,by Bit!.

Beth Minnick and I Saturday at the Trillium Trail Races

I have dearly missed running these last 6 weeks. Yet I am thrilled to start to be back building mileage and continuing my hamstring rehab. Last month, I had my left leg extended to the clutch and right foot on the break at the time of impact when a Suburu hit our Toyota. The impact jarred the hamstring attachment and I took some time off. I am not yet back to training, but building base mileage and endurance for several weeks first.

Besides the freedom of running, beauty of the autumn season and tiring myself out at times, I’ve missed my running buddies. Although most of the time I enjoy my long runs solo, I can certainly get too much of my own company and thank others for their willing companionship.

For me running buddies range from very close, dear friends to trail running kindred spirits whom I see only a few times a year. Last weekend I shared the Appalachian Trail with a new acquaintance. This past Saturday I got to spend time with awesome running friends I haven’t seen in months and on Sunday, some local buddies from my town.

Saturday was the inagural Trillium Trail Races on the Campus of East Tennessee State University. 

The 10 mile race was 2  5 mile loops of squiggly mountain bike trail-slippery and fun!

The awesomeness of Beth and Rick Gray, post race

 There were many other trail friends to say hello to and chatter with before and after the run. I had some other errands to do in Johnson City that day and had to leave right after the race...but before leaving, I got a quick photo of some feet wearing Montrails:

Clockwise from bottom: Rick in Mountain Masochist, Annette in the new 2012 Bajada and Beth sporting Fairhavens

 I  am not sure of the official placing or times during the runs, yet many prizes were distributed-I know Beth and Rick won some things...and Rick emailed me this morning telling me I won a Mountain Hardwear backpack, gift certificate for Salomon shoes and pottery medal. I'll likely use these items as door prizes for the 2012 NRT 50k. Cool. It was not a big field...yet definitely something I hope the race director will build on and repeat next year.

Sunday, I joined Jackie and Jonathon for a run on Railroad Grade Road, a flat road near where I live. I know it well, as I have logging hundreds of miles on it earlier this year preparing for the flats of Winschoten, Netherlands. Jackie and Jonathon are brother and sister and both preparing for their 1st marathon in early 2012 in Charleston, SC.

Brother and sis with 14.5 miles down and 5.5 to go on Sunday!

Age doesn't matter with running buddies...I am 19 years older than Jackie and 29 years older than her brother. Yikes!

Jackie was a student of mine many years ago at Ashe County, she is now working, married, has a charming 3 year old and is seriously training to run a sub 3:30 marathon. I have no doubt she'll do it!  Jonathon is a junior at the high school. The three of us have run together intermittently since a little before the vehicle accident. I fully enjoyed our run on Sunday morning, especially since it was sunny and unseasonably warm. Yay sunshine! Brother and sister ran 20 miles, I called it quits at 15.8.

Several folks have asked "what's next" for me racing...Right now I am dearly enjoying getting back to it and doing my best not to overdo things too soon, too fast. I hope to outline a race plan for 2012 over Thanksgiving Break later this week. Running makes me happy and running with friends makes me happy too!

 

Brief Update and Ghost Whisperer Anorak

Ghost Whisperer, size medium...size small would have worked too.

I realized a few days ago, I had not posted that in early October I was involved in a car crash-2 days before NRT50k. In that wreck (other party take full responsibility) our truck was in the body shop for 4 weeks and I have been rehabbing a hamstring injured that night for 6+ weeks...I am getting stronger and healing, yet not where I'd be if the Subaru done what it did. (Big SIGH). Thankfully, life for all involved was very inconvenienced, yet not damaged.

This past week, in typical Appalachian Mountain mid-autumn weather I got to wear the new Ghost Whisperer Anorak by Mountain Hardwear, it will soon be available for Spring 2012.

Since I am still working on getting back in shape after taking 5 weeks off after last month’s vehicle accident, the runs were quite short, and not fast.

Which hand is it in?

Did you guess correctly?

Pretty awesome...weighs only 2 ounces!

 Run #1 5pm: 4.7 miles: sideways, pouring rain. Cold front was coming through. Temperature dropped 6 degrees in 40 minutes. Wore anorak with long sleeve shirt underneath. Soaked and chilled, yet did not feel cold. Shook the anorak out and it was dry in ten minutes.

Run #2: 8:3am: 4.6 miles: calm, clear with morning shadows, 34 degrees, short sleeve shirt underneath. Zipper made it easy to temperature regulate.

Run #3: 3:00pm, 4.6 miles: same day, calm, temperature mid 40’s warm in the sun. Sports bra only under anorak. Funky look, yet effective.

Anorak stuffed into compartment that would other wise hold my iphone or camera

Run #4: 9:00am, 10miles on Appalachian Trail. Temp high 30’s. Started out with jacket on, yet within 10 minutes removed it, as the hill climb made it un necessary. I stashed it easily in the front pocket of my Nathan Vest.

3.5 miles into Saturday's run

 This piece of gear will be truly GREAT for those of use "lazies" that don't want to carry a big pack...Yet, as a precaution, please remember...venture into Wilderness with skills, training and judgement and flexibility...to do otherwise, my compromise the health and safety of your companions!

This will for certain be a new piece of “go to” gear for iffy conditions…like a tiny beanie or pair of thin gloves, it is even small enough to jam in my sports bra mid-run, if I lack pockets. Now that would be interesting-the sight of gloves, hat and jacket sharing the sports bra…Women have it made…(I am hesitant to wonder where guys stash their extra clothes?) Read below to see what Mountain Hardwear says about the jacket:

Ghost Whisperer Anorak (OL4556)

A wind- and water-resistant shell so crazy lightweight and compressible you can pack it in your pocket.

Features: Super ultra lightweight shell * Wind and water resistant * Easily packable - stows in built in pocket * Deep neck zipper for ventilation *  Reflective trim for visibility

Usage: Under 2 ounces! This jacket is like having weather protection in your pocket.
Fit: Athletic
Fabrics: Body - Whisperer 7D x 10D Ripstop Weight: 1.7 oz.; 49 g. Center Back Length: 25.5"; 65 cm Color: Deep Blush; Sea Salt; XS-XL; $135.00

Fourth Running New River Trail 50km, 10/8/2011

"1 minute warning!" before race start. Photo courtesy of Joel Pulliam

 This year we had 123 entrants and 105 starters on this cool, foggy, early autumn morning on the banks of the New River. If my figuring is correct 70 of the 123 registered were 1^st time ultrarunners. There were 77 male starters and 27 female starters. 99 runners finished within the 7 hour time limit.

View of New River from race start. Photo courtesy of Joel Pulliam

 As in year’s past, staff from New River Trail State Park were hugely helpful with logistics, setting up aid stations and finish line area and providing transportation for our volunteers who worked the “no vehicle access", Fries Junction aid station. The community of Fries was supportive and the local women’s group cooked up gallons of soup, dozens of loaves of homemade sourdough bread and stacks of cookies for  a lite post-run lunch.

VA Park Service Staff day before race

This year we got to use their fancy new clock!

Ranger Patrick is in charge of the South end of New River Trail State Park

John Batchelor, 36 years old from Rocky Mount, NC was the male champion with a time of 3:42:30. I do believe this was John’s first ultra win! Congratulations John!  He had the 10^th fastest time ever run on this course. Following John was 1^st masters, David Honea, 42 of Boone, NC, closely followed by Nick Whitehead, 33 of Bluefield, VA.

Nick at the Cliffview turnaround (photo courtesy of Nick)

Trail view, taken mid morning. Photo courtesy of Joel Pulliam

Chestnut Yard aid station #2 and #4. Photo courtesy of Joel Pulliam. (That's him-the runner in blue!)

 Women’s champion was Laura Maclean, 43 of Willow Spring NC, with the 8^th fastest female time on this course: 4:16:49. She was followed by Lydia Odell, 42 of Brevard, NC and Kara Lemon, 32 of Charlottesville, VA with times of 4:23:44 and 4:25:20, respectively. Full results are now posted on UltraSignup: http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=12051

A special shout on to Kara for holding the spirit of being “green”. For this race we minimize disposables, use local products when possible and purchase and are sponsored by company’s that have a demonstrated record of responsible practices. Runners were informed that each aid station would have 70 paper cups, and when the were gone…they’re gone. Most runners carried packs or hand held bottles.

…Back to Kara. At the conclusion the race, I heard about a young “fast girl” who carried around a squished paper cup to each of the aid stations, reusing her paper cup until at last the folks at the last aid station made her take a new one! Thank you to Kara and many, many other runners who took to heart our efforts at minimizing trash during this race.

Though I mentioned the placing above of just the top 3 men and women there were many amazing performances out there, one’s that because I get to share in them, even in a small way, remind me of the utter privilege of race directing!

One runner, and I won’t use her name, as I haven’t asked permission, was in a serious car wreck a couple of years ago. She had to relearn how to talk and walk and take care of herself. This was her return to ultrarunning for the first time since her accident. I know she had a wonderful day out there and I am thrilled for this awesome lady!

This year's optional shirts

 Though, with last week being the 4^th edition of NRT 50k, we continue to evolve, while holding onto the ideals of quality, “green”, affordable, fair and friendly. I do not come from a back ground of road racing, which seems to have very different norms in regard to swag and age group awards. I also realize that NRT 50k is attracting more and more 1^st time ultrarunners-which is certainly a joy, yet leaves me a bit in a dilemma.

A view of our living room floor, night after the race. Even the cat went into hiding!

Runners are asking for finishers medals and finishers shirts and to keep track of age groups. Some ask for additional categories of age groups awards. I know runners are very proud of finishing their first ultra (and I am the 1^st to applaud everyone),I respect runners for asking for what they want and sharing what matters to them, yet at the same time stay within what I value as a race designer and race director.

I wonder what other’s think? I am not a bit put-off by these requests, in fact, I like it that I am approachable and folks feel free to give critical feedback. If anyone has any experiences or thoughts about what I am pondering, I would love to hear!

This year was another year of fabulous weather, talented and passionate runners, supporters and many dedicated volunteers. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the race.  Put 10/13/2012 on your calendar for the next edition!

New River Trail 50k 10/08/11: Preliminary results

It was a very life-filled day on the banks of the New River yesterday for the 4th running of New River Trail 50k.

John Batchelor, 36 was the overall male with a time of 3:42:30, followed by David Honea, 42, 3:46:10, and Nick Whithead, 33, 3:46:37. The female champion was Laura McClean, 43, 4:16:49, followed by Lydia O'dell, 42, 4:23:44 and Kara Lemon, 32, 4:25:20.

 Preliminary results are posted below. I invite folks to send stories and photos (if you think you have one that might be suitable for publication in UltraRunning, please send a high quality file). I will be working on race report, blog post,  and completing results this week.

Thank you to all runners, volunteers, community of Fries,  VA State Parks staff, and to The Great Mystery for the awesome weather and beautiful river. Much more to follow.

World Championship 100km, 9/10/2011, Winschoten, Netherlands

Race Start!

(Post written, in part somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean during the return from the race).

Somewhere in Europe or in transit today are several exhausted American runners, team managers and their crew. Tired and pleased and sore. We did what we set out to do: we are bringing home a Men’s Gold Medal and a Women’s Silver Medal. Yes!

The adventure of World Championship 2011 started many months ago for all of us: training, qualifying, selection, getting time off from work and more training. The travel, for me, has been going on for just over a week.  I’ll write a bit about the days leading up to leaving, share a timeline for the trip and then The RACE.

Friday, September 2: The Upset

I was out for my last hard effort of an interval workout on the Boone Greenway about 3:30pm, Without warning my right foot started to burn and tingle. It got worse. I went to my chiropractor appointment with Doctor Fidler and almost flew off the table as his shirt touched my toe. It hurt to wear flip flops. Each time my toe touched something in a certain way I experienced scalding pain. No exaggeration, by far the most intense hurt I have experienced. This came on absolutely unexpectedly.

I iced it and soaked in Epson Salts that night. A little better. Next morning I had x-rays and a gout test. Nothing weird. No good explanation. Now what?

Then I remembered Dr Ross Jenkins, a podiatrist I’d seen in 2009 after Vermont 100 left me with lingering foot issues. He’d given me his cell phone and said to call him if I needed him. I didn’t know if the invitation had expired, yet I was desperate. I called and he agreed to see me in his Lenoir office, the following day, Labor Day Sunday at 3pm.

Saturday: September 3: Packing, cross-training, taking Celebrex. Had a date night with George. Worried about foot.

Sunday: September 4: Cut 1:40 min run to 1:20. Foot hurts-but only after 40 minutes and then it ached and progressively burned.

Good news, though! Dr. Jenkins did more foot x-rays and an exam. One of the nerves between my Great toe and 2^nd toe is inflamed-accounting for the burning and numbness. He gave me 2 shots of dexamethazone into the top of my foot and showed me ways of creating orthotics from shoe inserts. I got directed to ice and keep with the Celebrex. This is an issue I must deal with after Netherlands, yet hopefully with excessive kindness, I hoped, the foot would  respond and I could run  (and run well) on Saturday. I partially re-packed and added 3 extra pair of running shoes  and my ugly, scuffed clogs to the large travel bag. I was willing to change shoes, however many times I needed to during The Run.

Tools of the trade by trial and error! (Adventure= "that which has an unknown outcome!"

Monday, September 5: Had a massage appointment and another appointment with Dr. Fidler. Foot much better. Yet I broke out in a rash and then in hives from head to toe. Blotchy swollen. I realized I must have been having a reaction to yesterday’s injection. All doctor’s I could think of calling were closed. Dr Fidler suggested I get in touch with Dr Jenkins again. I hated to do that, yet I did pester him, he was kind and called in prescription of Prednisone I could pick up at Rite Aid on my way down the mountain to the airport.

Wheew! Took off  from Charlotte at 4:05 pm, changed in Philadelphia,  then on to Amsterdam, NL, arriving 8:40am. Netherlands is 6 hours “behind” us in NC. Amy Sproston was on the plane too, so we assisted navigated the airport and getting coffee together before going separate ways-she was off to meet teammate Meghan, and I to find my hotel, drop suitcase and rent a bicycle.

Tuesday, September 6. Navigated my way to Notting Hill Hotel where I’d secured a really good deal. A quiet place with wifi, luggage storage and a tea maker.

Got a Great deal on this place, booking 12 hours before my arrival

Not speaking more than 2 words of Dutch I was very grateful for the kindness of the local folks and their willingness to assist a language-impaired American. I rented a bike and rode in the rain for over 2 hours, went for a run in Vogelpark ( Dutch version of Central Park) and being too tired to meet up with Amy and Meghan, instead bought a yummy bowl of salad with chicken and some wine at the grocery across the canal from my room and was asleep by 8pm.

Wednesday, September 7: Another run with light strides in Vogelspark. Foot feeling even better! Picked up another salad at the grocery to eat for lunch on the train. Took the tram to the train, switched 3x and arrived in Winschoten, Netherlands. The local organizing committee was shuttling runners to our accommodation site and I met 3 Canadians along the way.

A view of the bungalow village

Bike parking outside the main building of the complex

Moved into a small bungalow I would share with Peggy and Randy Lycans, David Riddle’s in laws. Really nice folks, enthused for David and very supportive of the whole Team.

Team meeting was at 7pm. Since I hadn’t been the grocery store yet in Stattskanal, Pam Smith and her husband Mac shared some food with me. The best wild rice, salad and sliced chicken ever!

Previewing the course and getting kinda wet!

Thursday, September 8: Grocery shopping, getting organized. Most team members went into Winschoten to run the course in the rain. Stretch. Hang out with legs up.  Resisted urges to go for long walks to explore.

Friday, September 9: 25 minute run (in the rain) in the morning. Met with support, filled 19 bottles with Gatorade and water, readied other fuel supplies and other items that might be needed.

Filling and labeling bottles

Team photo shoot. Transport back to Winschoten at 5pm for Athlete Parade.

Mac and Nathan chillin' before the Parade

Our Turn!

One of the many teams walking up to the parade route

Chicken, potatoes, veggies and a bit of wine for pre-race meal

Arrived back at bungalow by 8:15 pm. Quick, yet good dinner. Bed by 10:45pm.



Saturday, September 10: The RACE!

Winschoten turned into a running festival! At 9:50am National Teams were called into the start corrals-and with oodles of enthusiasm and great relief, we started to run. 10 loops of 10km. The guys took off and Amy, Meghan and Devon started running together.

Devon, Meghan and Amy (hidden by Meghan)

They were a tad too fast for me-yet they stayed in sight for the 1^st  one and a half laps. Then Pam was there and we ran almost 2 laps together before her stomach started to give her some worries and she needed to slow down.

Pam and I finishing up lap 2

I enjoyed our run time-babbling about weddings and family and random things.

Teams had 2 support stations on the course, each 5km

I think it was during the 5km point on lap 4 I realized we must have passed one of the other girls while she was in a porta potties as I was told I was in the 3^rd team position. Run on. Lap after lap.Run on pavement, lots of bricks. I took in my nutrition according to plan and what would be 18 S-caps on this very warm, humid day. Think about Cheryl, George, Mom, Dad, kitty, Ron, Michele…think about nothing.

Run through sprinklers, cool with sponges.

Pretend everything was down hill. I kept on feeling good until about 2km into lap #8 before the “poops” started. 2 porta pottie stops and one side of the path stop all in the next 1.5km. I was scared my race was over.

After those stops I felt somewhat better, yet knew I needed to switch to no calories and just water for awhile. I took 1 Imodium with 20km left to go. Better this left. Just taking water and S-caps. Passing girls!

With 10km left to go, I was tired, and excited and a bit limp as I still wasn’t taking in calories except for sips of cola. I could get through this and get it done! Devon had to drop-I knew Meghan was ahead…yet had not a clue who else was still out on the course, or where they were. I had no idea of my position compared to others. I bobbed along, my whole body wanted to be done, brain too! With 5km left to go, Timo, one of our team managers was at the aid station and cheered me, “ 7^th in the World, keep it up, Annette, keep it up!”.

I almost cried. Really? Top 10 at my 1^st 100km World Championships? O-M-G! I felt wobbly, yet no way was I going to be passed at this point. Made a quick stop with 1.5km to go to pour some cola down and kept it up. My last few laps were slower, yet the finish line approached I heard Meghan Arbogast being announced as she crossed, 2 minutes later, Denmark cheering for Gloria who was just behind me. She and I had swapped positions 6-7 times during the last laps. I would not be passed again and sprinted for the line, clocking 7:49:59 a PR by :10:24…and in what I learned was 6^th place. So-very exciting!

A few meters from the finish line, Gloria behind me

The top 3 men and women and a random 4 of the top 10 were chosen for drug testing. I spent the next 2 hours shivering under a blanket laying on a locker room floor with other women doing the same as we drank and drank while waiting for our tired bodies to be willing to pee, under watchful eye of the doping authority. Lion Caldwell, our team doctor accompanied me. He was very patient and a good sport about the whole thing…I was feeling dopey and was glad for his guidance. Finally I gave a sample and signed off. I hoped the prednisone I was taking earlier in the week wouldn’t be a bad thing. It is a steroid-just not a performance enhancing one and we reported that and the Celebrex on the official documents.

USA Women at awards ceremony illuminated by a projection of the American Flag

The day ended off with a meal at a pizza place and a fine awards ceremony celebrating Michael Wardian as 2^nd place, Andy Henshaw, 3^rd, with Team USA men winning Gold! USA women won silver and Meghan Arbogast set a new 50+ world record! Full results here.

It will take days, perhaps weeks for me to process this experience. In the meantime I share a deep thank you to my USA teammates, Lin and Timo and Lion, team USA supporters who helped so very much. Also of course to George and kitty and the folks I work with. I am also appreciative that Montrail has been very supportive of the road running that has taken over since June. I do look forward to getting back to the trails in a few weeks, yet for the next 2-3 weeks, I plan on taking a break from training and just getting out and doing something everyday…-run, walk, swim, cardio class, just because it is fun!