Today I ran the Marquette Senior High School annual Turkey Trot. I ran the 10K distance at a time of 1:07:54.

There was water at the 5K turnaround none at the 10K turnaround. No water at race ned and no fruit only cookies. Not good for those gluten free runners, eh? I had a water bottle and back in the car a banana.

I had knee issues on the good knee during and after the race.

Took the time to stretch before launching into cleaning and cooking for our guests who will arrive today at 4pm.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

I am grateful that my body lets me run! For family! And for the banana in my car

Date: 10/1/2011 10:00 AM
Distance: 5 kilometers
Duration: 35:28:13
Pace: 11:25:01 / mile
Weight: 150 lb
Age group: 40 – 49
Group Placement: 12 / 20 (60%)
Gender Placement: 72 / 128 (56.3%)
Notes: knee pain both

Trail Run–Little Presque to Wetmore

The trail held a couple of surprises today!

Today, I attended Farmer’s Market and picked up veggies for the week. I had intended for today to be a rest day, physically. I had “land” physical therapy on Thursday and Friday I had a “pool.” Yesterday I had a migraine headache. Cooler day, slower Saturday good for nourishing the body. But the cooler temps enticed me o the trails. I chose a lakeside run on trail.

Parking at Little Song Bird just off County Road 550 allows me a slow warm-up as I head toward Little Presque parking lot. My knee was taped for stability and a quick walk informs my body where my knee “is” for the run. I decided a nice slow pace with stops for photos would be appropriate but I also wanted to challenge my status with this injury? Just how was my strengthening going? So I took the trail toward Wetmore which is complete with two staircases, and many roots.

The surprises. White Chairs along the side of the path. Musicians with instruments. A whole wedding!

We are blessed with this beautiful land, the Great Lake of Superior, and love!

Also, I’m blessed with a great physical therapy team that is helping my knee stability!

For more on this section of trail visit: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/nct/Wetmore.htm

I was the first runner to arrive. There were no signs as we enter the Lower Falls area at Tahquamenon. Strange. We drove around parking lots. Finally, we saw a couple walking their dog and asked if they had seen anything. “Over there.” They replied. We parked and I jogged, “Over there.” Beyond the gift shop in a rainy field I was greeted by Starting Gates. No people.

It was going to be a wet start to the race. The bathrooms were locked. People were starting to gather. Superior Timing started handing out timing chips. Runners Tahquamenonbegan to gather under thick trees and the overhang of the gift shop.

I had already made up my mind that I would not take photos during this race. Running with an injury on a challenging trail run, that was also wet, full of inclines and declines, rocks and roots, the camera was a distraction I could not afford. Plus, I was feeling good. I was feeling like I could really RUN! So this photo was the last I took. Afterall, I had a crew of one and he had a great camera.

During the pre-race rundown the race organizer stated there were roots as tall as our knees and we would walk that section of the trail. I thought, overdramatic! I learned later that there certainly were roots as tall as my knees, downed trees, boardwalks tipping precariously toward the river and more.

The run was exhilarating. The tape on my knee held up through 1/2 the race then the wet brush started loosening it up. I had to get my steps in check at that point. But I was able to run. So free. And I was able to pass people in front of me. I ran a smart race. It has been my tendency to go out too fast and fade off. This race I was passing people and I finished strong.

Fifth in my age group! High fives to the kids gathered to greet runner entering the parking lot and headed to the finish line! I had enough energy to say let’s do it again! Fun, fun, fun trail.

The Tahqua 10k is part of the Great Lakes Endurance Series and there was also 25K finishers that crossed the same finish line.

I volunteered at my first aid station today! I decided it was not a run weekend for me and that it was time to do my part in support of other runners. The Marquette Trail 50 is an ultra that includes a 50K and 50-mile run in Marquette County. I had 2-3 helpers thru my shift at Aide Station 2. I mixed up the HEED following directions and I brought water and ice. I arrived on site 30 minutes before my suggested time, dragged the table out of the bushes, and set up hydration and fuel.

I knew from reading blogs and mags that ultras are different but to actually watch and assist was an experience. Families and friends show up at various aid stations to support and assist their runners. The runners even have drop-bags at various aid stations. Some have nuts and dehydrated fruits, other Progressive soup in pull top cans. I watched a runner pop the top of his soup and bend the lid into a makeshift spoon.

Runners are spaced out. I noted each runners number and time as they crossed thru my station. I made sure all runners were accounted for. I was instructed to close my station at 11am due to a cut-off time.

One runner decided to drop-out of the race at aid station 2 which was 18 miles into the race. It is best not to re-injure oneself and to know your body. It is something all runners will have to balance at some point in their running careers.

The next aid station was another 4 miles away and the heat of the day was starting to show at 11am. The day had started cool but with blue skies the inland areas of the race had runners in need of hydration. I look forward to assisting again next year.

Started my new Physical Therapy today and was sent out to the trails with taping strategies for my ongoing issues. There is a race this weekend a 10K trail run at Tahquamenon Falls and I’ve been resting my hip, IT Band and knee. Today I was evaluated and we worked on Vastus Medialis strength and then a bit on the treadmill. I was taped up and told to test it out. I headed to the Marquette Fit Strip and 10 minutes into a successful run–WIPE OUT! I hit a rock with the toes on my right foot and I went sailing, hit the ground and slid. I banged up my left side and my right (already involved knee). Fun, eh? I shook it off, walked 2 minutes and ran another 5 minutes. I feel okay-ish but raw on the left side. On top of it all I still get to work 8 hours today.

Don’t be a distracted trail runner no matter how green the forest looks watch for rocks and roots

The run tonight was awesome, considering I ran it while rehabbing an injury. Tonight’s run went better than my last, which ended with terrible pain. That run was a little over a week ao on the Marquette Fit Strip and I could not crank out two miles.

Tonight, I ran 3.4 miles tonight on trail. It was race #5 at Harlow Lake as part of the Marquette Trail Run series. Gosh it felt good! I had been Jonesing for endorphins. I even had goose bumps after the run. My time wasn’t so hot, though. And I happily took last place in the short course.

Until tonight, I was third in the point standings, not sure where tonight’s results will have me.

Tomorrow I meet with an Orthopedic Doctor. I am building a healing team. (Again.)

"Kid at Heart" Photo by Mike Hainstock

Walked the beach tonight for knee therapy. Dragging feet thru the sand to stretch out foot, ankle, shin. Bury feet in sand and turn foot to10 o’clock and 2 o’clock to stretch up to knee. Run backward at beach edge. Run forward. Tai Chi on Rocks. Mike’s photo shows how my therapy works on my soul

I have an upslip of my SI joint that is causing ITBS and knee pain.

Today’s PT included traction, ultrasound and a “dex” patch on the knee.

–Kim

Big Brothers Big Sisters Pioneer Days Run/Walk
Saturday, July 9, 2011: Heritage Trail, Negaunee Mi.

•Distance: 10K
•Age group: 3th
•Overall: 44
•Time: 1:16:15
•Per K: 7:38

This was my first time competing on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters 10K race. I loved the location and the varying trail set-up. But, I was not a fan of how the trail was marked. The first time I got off trail was with 4 other women. We were at the back of the pack, perhaps there was someone standing at this tricky intersection early on? We ended up taking a turn that crossed the path (the turn meant for the return trip). We turned it around and probably lost 3 minutes. Then I got off track a second time loosing approximately 1 1/2 minutes–same general intersection. Needless to say, I was disappointed but it happens. There was also no water at the aid station! I was parched. Then at the race end there was no water and no fruit left!! I have never had this happen to me. I gave it all in the race. Where I will run the race again, as it is a good cause, I’ll be sharing feedback. Next year I’ll be prepared, just in case.

I had not run 6 miles yet this season. I’ve not run 6 miles since 2009, prior to my diagnosis. This was a triumph for me. I cannot explain how blessed I feel to have finished the race. And I belive participating in the Marquette Trail Running Series helped prep me for this race. Most of the trail runs were more technical. So, on this course of uphills, asphalt, snowmobile trails and road I finished strong!

If you run with an auto-immune disorder or Celiac Disease what do you use for post-race recovery?