No S.O.B.

Surprisingly, I am very much OK, no, even better - I like that. My breathing is fine, so whether those first 3 days of the week I had developed some kind of allergy (never had them before, but it may pop anytime and seems I had problems same days as Caroline here in Portland) or it was indeed a postponed altitude response, I am not sure. I ran on Thursday and had no problems. I even took a hillier (but more scenic) route to work and ran the whole thing without stopping once (yep, I am still proud when I don't walk because, as an ultrarunner, I use walk breaks often in anything over 10 miles). I felt quite strong too, and almsot thought I should go and see if I can lower my last year's time (last year it was 2 weeks after WS100 and 1 week before Vermont100, so I was just playing on trails). But because it was supposed to be a family get-away with Oleg as prime racer, and he is seriously injured (we think it's either a crack in his femur or a hematoma in periosteum, it hurts to walk and in a sleep as well), that left me alone. Spending over 24 hrs between driving and running (300 miles each way) and much money for gas while NOT spending time with my boys just seemed to be not where I am right now. I can do a training run here, in the Gorge. Last year I did many of those "50k as a training run" races without a second thought, but I filled the hunger and don't want it anymore. Actually, I decided even Gorge is too far and I will go to Forest Park and run there.

I don't know whether it's patience or understanding, or I am simply like Rob trying to prioritize my life and take a break from hard goals, but this seems to fit me these days. I am bit cooled off from crazy "go to all races" and want to stay near family and do house stuff (Oleg is amused). May be I will get more excited if I don't run so much. So today I went to the gym and did a spin class and weights.

Speaking of weights, I also did it on Wed, and since I haven't done any lifting for almost a month (you know, taper, recovery, vacation), I was sore! It was a good feeling. I bumped the weights following Julie Berg's training a bit, and am trying to lower the calories from her link of leannesslifestyle journal. Thanks, Jul! You are a truly inspirational woman in your adhering to fit lifestyle!

We are finally going to get that room painting job done tomorrow. It is also going to be a fun Russian weekend - we are invited to two Russian parties here, and we were BAD friends the whole year with weekends taken by either racing or climbing. Time to step back! Next weekend is also shapes up to be native-speaking - we have another Russian family coming from Seattle for a visit.

So here is my short update on life. This weekend is Hardrock 100, Tahoe 100 and Vermont 100, and I'll be checking progress of my friends there. I read Jeff Browning's report on Bighorn 100 and am inclined to do it next summer if I don't get into WS100. I think I need a break from that one, but will keep applying as I have a wish to get 10 year buckle, and if I don't apply, I'll never get there:)

Oh, and it might just happen I will get to meet Mr. Mental Runner in two weeks!

p.s. Shoot, one more exciting thing! I got to return to happy memory of my first 50 miler today! I ran Canandaigua lake 50M in NY to qualify for WS100 (I am even on the front page there:)), and for the first half ran with John Hemsky (and it was his first as well). We talked quite a bit and our crews helped us both, before he took off to win it in 8:01 (and I slowed down to 8:41). Since that time I followed his races, and he rocked every time he showed up! Massaneutten, Bighorn and HURT 100s come to mind as examples:) I even tried to find him through ultra list, but no success. This morning I got an email from him - we are both on Montrail team now and he sent a few nice words. How cool!