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.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

East Coast

What a crazy paced days...and never try to ask me to take wedding pictures - not only I forget to carry camera, when I find it, I forget to take pictures, and then suck at actually picking the time. I have same problem at the races too:) It was cold out there on East Coast, but a visit well worth freezing my tushy. I drank a lot (and managed to drop 3 lbs), laughed a lot, visited NYC - my past home (and the feeling was weird, at first like I am a tourist and it's crowded too much, and then like I never left, althouhg I wouldn't want to live there again). Walking on the streets lit up with Christmas decorations was interesting, yet overwhelming. Seeing "street boys dancing" was fun (I miss that), Central Park reminded me all the runs and races I did there, and yellow cabs are still honking like idiots.






Sunday the snow fell, and it was beautiful. I was thankful it did - let me really feel back home (actually, the whole trip felt just the same as when I go to Moscow, and no wonder, in both places I spent 11 years of my life each). I managed a bit over 2 hr run through the quiet park with fresh snow cover before the temps dropped below 20F. How did I ever do it 4 years ago on a constant basis?




I didn't get into WS100. What is totally fine with me - I wasn't that eager. But neither Mike, Adriend or Rick got there either, and that's a bummer. I was really looking forward partying hard at Squaw Valley:) Today MMT100 filled in 45 min, what makes me scared for Bighorn registration. I am afraid I, along with many others, will be left to pick something later in a season...what the hell is happening with ultrarunning, it suddenly became so popular that everybody wants to suffer through 24-30 hrs of pain? OK, I am selfish...just for today. And better get back to work:)

15 comments:

Rick Gaston said...

MMT100 filled before I got up this morning. Crazy stuff. Thinking about Bighorn now, I'd love to come back but I was hoping for an early summer race that I haven't already done. Explore a new course and all that.

Love New York.

Matt said...

What's going on? I think it's got something to do with some Russian girl, and others like her, who keep writing cool race reports, and talking people like me into signing up for crazy races. :-)

Bighorn sounds like a popular plan-B among the mid-valley crowd too. Some of us (myself included) opted instead for Tahoe (TRT-100, July 19-20), which, coincidentally, opened registration Dec 1 - trolling for lottery losers I suppose! Hopefully we'll get a good Oregon contingent there as well.

King Arthur said...

45 minutes!!! WOW. I guess I'll just stay with my 3 planned WA 100's and forget trying to replace WS100 on my schedule.

Backofpack said...

I think ultra-running is becoming more well known, sorta more mainstream and more accessible. And, seriously, I think sometimes the people who sign up are clueless about what it will take. Of course, most of the runners who sign up know darn well what it takes and are thrilled to do it anyway!

Unknown said...

I'll stick to the Washington 100's as well. We could always use one in Oregon :) Hint,Hint!!!

Lisa Smith-Batchen said...

you look beautiful in NYC!! welcome home!

Anonymous said...

The midwest still has plenty in the summer to come out and do Olga. Granted they don't have the breath taking views like Western States or Bighorn or any other 1oo in the West but there a lot of fun just the same. Hint Hint Kettle Moraine... Atleast you can justify travling for a hundred miler right?
Glad you had a great time in NY.

Sarah said...

Welcome home! Glad you had a fun trip. I love running in the snow, at least every now and then. : )

Ben, aka BadBen said...

Olga,
You should think about an early 100-K as a warm-up race. Maybe one in April. Maybe our Trail Nerd race, the Free State Trail Run! David is right. You can have a lot of fun in the Midwest. You would have plenty of Nerds to stay with, too (hint, hint).

Happy trails,
Bad Ben

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

Looks like a great time in NYC...!!love the pics!

Anonymous said...

With all your travels you must be loved all over the world. That is a very big fan club

Anonymous said...

You look great in the big city. I would imagine that having lived in some diverse places gives you a unique perspective on life here and abroad. Glad the trip went well for you.

onepinkfuzzy said...

yay for nyc trip!!!! :D

TonyP said...

Next time you make it to NYC make sure to look me up. You've always got a place to stay !

Sarah Elaine said...

Great photos and report on NYC. I laughed when I read the bit about the ultra events. Hell, any ultra race should be honoured to have you running in it. You can show 'em how it's done!