If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you are lucky enough.

When something bad happens, you have three choices: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Ready or not, here I come

You think it's time to get nervous yet? On the high of after-Waldo, I packed my bags on Monday and yesterday took it to Gail's house. Gail (my trusted training partner) and Maura (a great friend and one of the fun-nest people around) had offered to crew for me and run a short bits for pacing, while Rob is taking on the main duty to haul my ass through the course. I actually printed the CC100 manual and even read it - I guess I am about to run it, right? :) I have no expectations and in fact plan to take it as easy as I can to have something left for the following weekend. But I also wouldn't want to beat the cut off's so my plan is to start slow and kind of see if I can manage even pace myself through the night. Anywhere from 27 to 30 hrs should be a good idea.

I ran a whooping 9 miles last week and same for this week. This is what I call taper! Although it wasn't intended as such, just life, and I feel like I am not only well rested but actually forgot how to run:) Must re-learn on the course! Shuffle-shuffle, left foot, right foot, forward motion...how difficult it can be? Ha, we shall see.

Woke up this morning to have my left big toe blow up with nail bed infection from the Cool 12 hr run kick. Hopefully it'll subside, for now I am wearing flip-flops (nothing else fits). And my medication (Paxil) gets me nauseous, so keep the camera around, it could be quite a show:) I tend not to worry about these things before the race, so it's OK. The temps are promised to be on a cool side - 70's and 50's at night, good thing. In general we had a very cold summer, not that I am complaining, I am not a fan of 90-100F weather (how in the world will I tackle Badwater??). Just need layers for the night.

I will spare you with my teenage years stories unlike Eric, so this will be it for the week. Have a great time all around!

p.s. oh, and you know that you're doing ok at your "work" when the RD asks you to come next year to the race not to run it but to do finish line again:) Thanks!!!

18 comments:

Rick Gaston said...

Will be thinking of you, Rob and the rest of the CCC 100 folks this weekend. I still remember my first reaction when I saw CCC for the first time. I grabbed the phone and yelled at my friend "their hills are bigger than our mountain!".

Jealous. Have fun.

Anonymous said...

Good luck Olga!

Sarah said...

Best of luck at CCC, Olga! I knew you had a bunch of 100's coming up, but I didn't realize until now you had two back to back. Awesome! I'm sure you'll rock them both. : )

P.S. I've meant to tell you to put me down as potential crew for your Badwater run. : )

wendy said...

Yay, Olga! I'm going to have to line up for a hug next time I see you, I guess. =)

Best wishes for your toe at CCC - I'm sure you'll remember how to run just fine.

Be nice to Rob, he'll be tapering here pretty soon too. ;-)

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Have a great time Olga & Enjoy the moments like you normally do and ya kick some CCC ass & make sure Rob don't slow ya up-lol

I still think he may digesting that huge burger he ate a few months ago(some may remember that pic)

Seriously, you guys have a blast & try and take some good pics along the way !!

Be Safe & God Bless!

Ronda said...

Go get em Olga, have fun and don't kill your pacers....you will run faster than you think. If you see Tom on the course give him a hug for me....he hates hugs :).

Backofpack said...

Oh, we're ready for you up here in WA! Can't wait to see you - Saturday morning, bright and early.

Jean said...

Best wishes, have lots of fun, and I look forward to hearing about your experience. Good luck to you, Olga!

Matt Hart said...

yeeeaaaah!! i'll be on course with jamie - so i'll see you there olga! you are going to do awesome!

Hart

Anonymous said...

Good luck on your Cascade Crest. I'll see you halfway through in the night.

Unknown said...

We can learn how to run again together. I have run very little this week as well being busy with school and life. The taper has begun for me. One more long run this weekend should do me good. See you Saturday morning.

Thomas said...

I wish I was a calm as you before a race. I get nervous even before a half-marathon, I really don't know how I would react in your situation.

Julie B said...

Woohoo! Off and running. It will be interesting to see how that taper works for you. Good and rested, you are ready to rock and roll. Have fun, Olga. I'll be thinking of you!

AK said...

Go Olga!

meredith said...

Enjoy...this is just the start of your month long journey!!
meredith

Love2Run said...

You go girl! I know you'll remember what you're supposed to do when you ge there, especially with Rob to help. Have a great time!

kelly said...

Kick butt at CCC!! What a beautifully hard race! You will do fine. I will think about you this weekend. Have fun.

DawnB said...

Have a great Run Olga!!!I know you'll kick butt!!!Rob and the crew get that woman to the finish!! good luck to all of you and have fun!!