When I was training for my first half marathon in the summer of 2009, I watched the movie Running on the Sun, about the Badwater Ultramarathon. After watching the movie, I developed an intense fascination with 100 mile races. I don't necessarily want to run 100 miles, but I enjoy reading and hearing about them, and find a lot of inspiration from those who do run 100 miles.

This weekend, I got to run close to 20 miles of perhaps the most well-known 100 mile course in the US - the Western States 100 miler. We started at the town of Foresthill (about mile 60 in the actual race) and ran up to White Oak Flat. The views were amazing, and I felt so excited and grateful for this opportunity.

Last week, two amazing things happened. The first is that I ran 20 miles of enormous hills! The run, in the Marin Headlands, had over 3,572 of vertical climbing. Some of the hills were so steep that I was practically on my hands and knees. Adding to that was the fact that it was about 85 degrees, and apparently going uphill brings you closer to the sun, making it even warmer. Despite being 6 miles shorter than a marathon, this was the most difficult run I have ever done. But I did it! Of course, when you are 2,000 feet away from sea level, you don't have much choice but to keep on going.

The second amazing thing is that I turned in my recommittment paperwork, solidifying my dedication and committment to this crazy ultra journey. Sure, knowing that I have a 28 mile training run in my near future unnerves me a bit, but I've been very lucky to land on a team full of some of the most knowledgeable, supportive runners I've ever met. So as long as my legs are still working, I'm going to keep running up these giant hills!

Last Saturday, our Ultra team run was at Pleasanton Ridge, a trail area that was completely new to me. One thing that I've learned quickly on my trail runs is that the first few miles are always uphill. You climb up, up, up for several miles just to reach the part of the trail where the running really begins. Then, the terrain evens out a bit. It doesn't flatten out, but there appear to be an equal amount of uphills and downhills. The biggest surprise to me on Saturday, however, was this:

Yes, that is a stream that we had to cross, not one, but twice. On the first crossing, I was not smiling, I was just trying not to fall. This journey continues to be full of challenges and new learning experiences. I can't wait to see what comes next!

somewhere in Tilden Park

The above photo was taken during my first official ultra team run, at Inspiration Point. It was taken at the top of a 3-mile uphill that took us 40 minutes to run/walk/hike up. This whole run was so different from "road running" that I was completely unprepared for it. Running half the distance in twice the time? Seeing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the water stop (and later on realizing that I should have eaten one)! Having to walk because an incline is too steep to run up or down? From now on, I will give the hills their proper respect, and prepare myself better. I think that as a regular half-marathon runner and semi-regular marathon runner, I got a bit cocky, and started thinking that 31.5 miles is only 5 more miles than a full marathon. I know I can run a marathon, how much harder can an additional 5 miles be? Turns out, a LOT harder, when you are running on rocky, hilly terrain where the trail is too narrow to allow another person to run next to you. And, I'll admit it, due to being so poorly prepared for this run (ie: ridiculously underfueled) after the 5 mile mark, I found myself unable to move another step. Luckily my mentor Lori was able to come pick me up so I didn't wander off into the woods! While quite embarrassed about this (I don't quit runs, except apparently when I keep tripping over tree roots because I can't run in a straight line), I'm not giving up on this ultra journey. I'm excited that I've raised almost $600 so far, and am planning some fun events for later this season.

It's that time again!

Time to train, time to run, and time to raise even more money in support of finding a cure for blood cancers.

This will be my fifth season with Team in Training, and I am taking on a new challenge - running 31.5 miles through the Marin Headlands with the Ultra-Marathon team this summer.

Just writing that sentence makes butterflies start flying around in my stomach. But people who are living with cancer face tougher challenges than an ultra-marathon every day.

I run because I love to, and because it brings me joy and fulfillment. I run with Team in training because the money we raise and the work that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society does really makes a difference in peoples' lives.

LLS has been involved in the development of drugs such as Rituxan and Velcade, used to treate lymphoma and myeloma respectively. They provide financial assistance to people undergoing treatment, offer support groups and information to patients and families. LLS also provides funding to researchers who work on making existing drug therapies safer with less side effects.

Your support of LLS and my Team in Training Ultra-Mission is greatly appreciated, and as always, is tax-deductible. Check back often to hear my stories from the trail!