Happy Psycho Psummer

Saturday for the 3rd year in a row I ran Psycho Psummer 50k.  It falls right around my birthday every year so it's my own kinda birthday party.   I mean what's more fun than running all day?  Not much. 

I got up at 6:00 after not a lot of sleep but I never sleep that much the night before a race.  I had sat everything I needed out the day before so I pretty much just threw my clothes on grabbed everything and was out the door.  I stopped at Quick Trip for a coffee to drink along with a cup of Nunn water on the 30 minute drive over.  I ate a Honey Stinger chocolate waffle earlier in the morning and then 1/2 a banana about 30 minutes before the race start. 

I picked up fellow racer Jeremiah on the way over.  It was his first 50k and I know he was pumped about it.   This picture is clearly Pre race.  It didn't seem like we were there long before the race started.  Just long enough to get everything situated and use the bathroom a couple of times.

At an aid station stop shortly after I fell on the trail during the 2nd loop.  That's why I've got dirt all over.  I kinda fell and slid a little.  The guy running behind me asked If I was ok.  I said "do I look ok? "  Since I hit my lip I wasn't sure.  He said I looked fine so I said I was fine walked for like a minute before running again.  

For fuel during the race I drank a ton of water,  drank heed at the aid stations on the first 2 loops then coke on the third loop.  I ate at least 12 salt pills, had pb&j roll ups, pickles, pringles, fig netons, watermelon and one package of honey stinger chews.

Finishing the 2nd loop, about to go back for one more. The race is 3 loops around a lake each 10.3 miles.  The first loop you pretty much have people around you the whole time.  Different people since everyone is moving around each other to settle into a pace but still people around the whole time.  2nd loop there is people here and there but you're by yourself a good bit.  3rd loop you are pretty much running by yourself. I really felt good this entire race.  Except for falling down twice I never was really like ugh get this over with, my legs while tired never felt that bad.  At least when I'm comparing them to how they have felt in previous races. 

During the third loop at about mile 22 I'm guessing just before the first aid station I ran up on a guy walking who didn't look like he was doing to good.  So I asked and he didn't respond.  I turned around and he just starts barfing and dry heaving.  I told him I'd get the aid station to come out and he  said he'd be ok till then.  The aid station was only about 1/4 mile away, and they went out after him.   I've been there before, dehydration sucks.  But seeing that really got me jazzed up about my running, really made that first half of the last lap fly by.  

My Garmin quit on me 3 miles before the finish.  I figured it would but hopping it wouldn't because  for some reason looking at it made the miles seem like they were going by fast that day.  I don't know why since all the miles were slower and harder than what I usually run.  

KRISTEN WEIGAND

Bib# 2696

• Age: 34
• City: INDEPENDENCE
• State: MO

TOTAL TIME

6:01:19

OVERALL PLACE

15

Results

• 10 Mile Time: 1:50:25
• 20 Mile Time: 1:59:06
• 50K Time: 2:11:47
• Total Pace: 11:38/M

Standings

• 10 Mile Rank: 19
• 20 Mile Rank: 16
• 50K Rank: 15
• Age Group: Overall Female
• Age Group: Overall Female
• Gen Place: 3

I had no idea that I had a shot at placing at this race.  So when I finished and the race director came over and handed me the award for 3rd place female I was surprised.  I also didn't know there was prize money involved.  Getting a $100 check for placing in a race is fun too.  I finished 3/19 female finishers and 18/61 total finishers.

   

Psycho Psummer is a quality race experience with the fantastic aid stations, free race photos, shirt, beer mug, medal.  

Race Week

This week I'm gearing up for the Psycho Psummer 50k trail race.  By gearing up I mean trying to hydrate like a boss and not much else.  I'm running a whopping 10 miles total this week before the race so hopefully my legs will be super rested.  This will be my 3rd year running the race and as usual I feel under prepared.  Overall I think I'm in better shape than I was the previous 2 years but I never get the number or distance of long runs in that I would like.   I might be overly confident but I think I be fine.  The course is three 10.3mile laps around a lake.  Really just have to run the first 2 laps, 3rd lap is all mind over matter, no biggie.

Today I did a 5 mile run testing out my race day outfit and gear.  Didn't really have time to go to an actual trail to run so just ran down the street.  I ran pavement in trail shoes, so ridiculous but I had yet to run in the shoes so it had to happen.  Just need to buy some good socks.

I run by this sign all the time.  It looks like a mile marker sign in a race but it says donuts, so confusing.  I like to pretend I'm in a race every time I see it.

Race day outfit and gear minus the watch and socks.  I coordinated my bra and hydration pack with my shoes.  So pleased with myself for this.  Obviously today on my test run I added a tank top, my neighborhood is too sketchy to be running in just a sports bra.

So Much Fun!

So many super fun things have been happening since my last post.   Still working on getting enough miles in and enough weight lifting days a week but getting closer to what I want to be doing.  Until I just realized I have 3.5 weeks till my 50k.  I need the next two weeks to be solid.

We got to drive my brothers truck.  Gretchen loved this and cried when we got to go back to my car.

I get to take showers in the tiny dark green poorly lit basement shower.  Until last week I had never used this shower even though I've lived in the house for 6 years.  Gretchen refuses to shower in here, she's using the kitchen sink.

Getting to dry clothes the old fashioned way.  Gretchen thinks this is fun, she is wrong.

Actually like this one.  Getting to run out here on trail occasionally.  Not enough but super nice when it happens. 

If You Wanna Run Faster Run Faster

I'm having serious issues with having actual work getting in the way of my non professional, non paying running career.  I decided to work on other elements of my running besides high mileage till I can work in some more free time.  

–– I've been working on my running pace by following the If you wanna run faster run faster dumba** plan.  It's totally working.  Almost every time I have to do treadmill miles I start around a 8:30 pace then ekk up my pace slowly or fast depending on how many miles I want to do and my mood.  Ending around a 6:30 pace for a very short time. Usually like a minute.  Then when I've been getting to do outside runs it's like magic.  My average whatever pace for outside was usually around 8:30 now it has dropped to right around 8:00.  Pretty awesome.

–– I've also started lifting weights with regularity.  Right before I ran my 50 miler I was down to no weights.  Then I went back to once a week but meaning to do two a week.  I have managed a 2 a week plan for the past 3 weeks and have noticed a difference.  Starting a 3 a week plan next week.

–– Bought weight lifting gloves.  Totally helping and loving them.

–– Something strange is happening this week.  It looks like I'll have a lot of time to run and run outside. What?!  I finally hit an over 30 mile week today ending with 31 miles.  Next week I'll easily have time for 50 which would probably be a bad idea since my milage has been hovering in the low 20's for the most part.  

–– Started thinking about future races I'd like to sign up for.  Signed up for the Psycho Psummer 50k.  It will be my 3rd year doing it.  

Wall Art

I've been working on adding to my bedroom wall art a piece at a time since Wake up & be awesome went up in January.  It's really coming together now.  Probably belongs in a museum but instead it's in my bedroom where it will be seen by no one.  The picture above just demonstrates my poor iPhone photography skills, looks so much better in person.  If you would like to schedule a viewing let me know.

I'm using different techniques for each of the pieces.  Wake up I did in glitter.  

This one is all Gretchen.  She cut up the cow postcard, taped the fabric scrap to the bottom and added the aladdin sticker.  Then hung it up on the wall herself.  I'm not sure what it represents.

Best things I went old school and broke out the cross stitch.  Felt like I was in 4-H again.  I picked the quote because I think it's funny and true.

Only a fool is just sharpie markers, a little quicker than cross stitch.  I got the quote from Ray Lewis in an Xbox commercial.  I'm not a Lewis fan but I do like the quote.  I mean if anyone knows how to not trip on what's behind him.

Run the mile I stitched on the sewing machine.  It is bright orange thread on gray wool.  I really like how it turned out.  I looked up where it was from,  David Willey, a Runner's World Editor.  I found the quote on pintrest where I find most everything.  Seems like good running/life advice.

I may redo this one.  It is just printed on the computer kinda needs a little more.  Another quote about working hard, I like it.  The quote comes from Vince Lombardi a coach full of great quotes.

Your shorts I may redo as well.  I wrote it out with a Sharpie then stitched over it on the sewing machine.  I went to iron out the fabric and the steam from the iron caused the marker to bleed.  Like, don't like, I don't know.  The quote comes from a Nike ad.  I don't know if this one sounds silly but it's for me and so true.  When I started running I was wearing down to the knee basketball shorts.  Now I wear short shorts, can't have all that excess fabric getting in the way.

Working is Ruining my Running

So I decided I was going to have to suck it up and start working constantly.  I added waitressing to my list of jobs.  I've since decided I'm not a fan.  The job is good it's just really getting in the way of my running.  April was by far my lowest mileage month by far. Under 100 for the month.  Not acceptable, but I'm working on carving out more running time without giving up Gretchen time.

I do work across the street from Liberty Memorial which has lots of these.

Stairs!  Occasionally I have time for a run right after waitressing and run them.  Little perk of the job.

Since I can't run as much as I want I bought myself this to work on that other goal.  Currently only at half a pull up but can do one full chin up.  This is an improvement.  Installed it just 2 days ago so I'm expecting dramatic results soon.

Unrelated but important:

I came home after working all day planing on my usual cheese quesadilla dinner.  I pulled out my last 2 flour tortillas and this unopened bag of shredded cheese.  I made my quesdilla and sat down to eat.  Took one bite and realized one of the 4 cheeses was America.  FYI Kraft pasteurized prepared cheese product is not cheese so don't include it in your 4 cheeses!  Yuck!  Had to throw it out and eat some oatmeal.  This is really the most upsetting thing that happened this month.  American cheese I'm not a fan.

Cameron YMCA April Fools 8k

Today I went up to Cameron for the April Fools race that I have run for the last 4 years I think.  The first 2 years I ran the 5k, last 2 the 8k.  This isn't a huge race especially for the 8k but a nice quick out and back.  I finished 2nd female.  I did have a time of 35:44 my fastest 8k time by over a minute.  My fastest previous was 36:55 and last year I won this race with a time of 38:06.  Sounds super slow now.

Didn't get a good race picture from the day so this seems like a good replacement.  My aunt Betty who volunteers at the race took us out for a nice lunch afterwards.  

Had super mileage this week after last weeks race.  Sunday after the race my legs were pretty stiff and walking up or down steps was a bit of a chore.  By Tuesday my legs were filling significantly better and I tried out 1.5 miles on the gym treadmill.  Quads still sore but not bad.  Took Wednesday off then Thursday went for 7 miles outside.  A bad mood made these miles seem easy.  Friday off and 8k today.  I'm calling myself recovered.  Planing on upping the milage next week and adding weights back into the routine.