2012 HAT Run 50k Goals

My 2011 running of The HAT Run was such a positive experience I am not only eager to have another 50k to run but this one in particular is one I have looked forward to.  This race is to be a training run a fact best illustrated by the 50 miles I have already run since Monday however the trail conditions are to be amazing and I can't help but think that if I am having a perfect running day that I might just better my course time.  Well, it could happen.


As always the biggest goal is to run in such a way that I am able to run every day it is mostly with that goal in mind that I set and publicly announce my 2012 HAT Run goals.

My I FINISHED goal:
To arrive on time. To start. To finish.

aka: Finish Feeling Fine having Fun

Okay I have been here before so even though I am geographically challenged (I am. I have a card. It's a club.) my car's GPS is not but the super secret spy is coming too so who knows what might happen. 
Another speeding ticket? Maybe.

My I CAN goal:
Finish in under 7:00 
I say this because barring an injury or major GI issues this course should allow even my tired legs to do that.  Should being the most important word to notice in that sentence.

My I LOVE IT goal:
To finish within 31 minutes of my PR.
With a current PR of 5:59:33 my I LOVE IT time would be 6:30.

My I DREAM IT goal:
Under 6 hours. aka a new 50k PR

 We had a loss locally of a wonderful man only 40 years old.  He was a husband and father of three girls.  He was active and involved in kids sports and the community.  He passing was sudden and unexpected.  In light of this reminder I will take all the positive experience I can from this race and it's runners and volunteers no matter how my body chooses to perform on Saturday.  I will not forget to share those tree sheltered miles with prayers for those who can not be out there with me.  I ask as you run or play or love your family this weekend, you purposefully pause for a moment to acknowledge the gift, the blessing, of being able to do it. 

Saturday I will run because I can and remember those who can't.
I know that on any given day I just don't know what I am capable of until I amaze myself doing it.

There's Nothing to Say

This morning I had planned a much different post but in light of some local news I have decided to change my focus today. 

I apologize for the serious sad nature of this post with some many still celebrating racing success from this past weekend however, I awoke this morning to news that a family friend a 21 year old girl had taken her life.

This young lady had been very close with my oldest son.  She was a bright cheery beautiful faith filled young woman when they spent time together.  Since my son returned home from the Army they had talked and spent time together again.  I was glad to see that they were able to continue their friendship after leaving high school and all it's pettiness behind them.  My son didn't say that there was anything out of the ordinary going on with her or that she had shared anything troubling.

As I go about my day today as I am forced to do, I keep thinking about the things my own children tell me without saying anything...and the times I may not listen closely enough.

Please remember that your children only know life to the depth and length they've lived it.  When they say things are so important to them don't dismiss it as childish or unimportant.  To them, to their experience whatever they are feeling is the greatest strongest thing they have ever known. 

Often I'm sure there are no signs of trouble, no tell-tale change in behavior to miss but sometimes there is nothing to say just time to be shared listening when other seemingly important matters need to wait.  I would never have thought this would happen to this young lady and that reminds me that I have a house full of children that I can't imagine it would happen to either.

Starting today I will be saying a lot less and listening a lot more.

If you are inclined please pray for this Bedford family as they attempt to deal with this tragedy.

EDITED to add:  Another local fatality.  The husband of a high school classmate and friend was killed when he lost control of his Cannondale bike and was struck by a vehicle.  The driver and passenger of the vehicle were not injured.   
Living in a rural close knit area this news hits especially hard.  Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated.

The HAT Run Trail 50k ~ Goals

I am reminded; in light of all that is happening in the world today that I am sheltered from but not unaware of, that I am so fortunate to be given the opportunity to be out in nature with other like-minded people enjoying what God has given us and helped us to be capable of. Along my run on Saturday I will be praying for various people and situations as I often do. I ask that you might join me (perhaps during your own run) in praying for all those affected to the recent natural disasters around the world.

Day # 311 ~ p.m. run ~ 6 miles

Did you see the weather forecast?

I guess I should be happy that the temperature for my Saturday race is a more comfortable 50degrees however I already thought there would be enough water on the course with at least 4 major creek crossing!

The upside is that I usually like running in the rain.  I just don't know how I will like running hills in the rain for 6 to 7 hours.  My fingers are going to be crossed that it holds off until after I have crossed that finish line!

The conditions will be what they will be so I won't speed a lot of time worry about them.  I'll try attempt to prepare for them as I look at setting so goals for this latest adventure. 

So here it is:

My I FINISHED goal: To arrive on time. To start. To finish.

aka: Finish Feeling Fine having Fun

 

This may be my biggest worry for this race since I will be traveling alone to a place I have never been.  Did I mention I am geographically challenged?  I am.  I have a card.  It's a club.

 

My I CAN goal: Finish in 7:06. 
Which is my time from the most challenging Ultra I've yet run.

This one is a little harder this time.  I don't know the course at all.  I DO know that it is relentless hills and water crossings.  So I am going into this race with much the same attitude as the Skyline Challenge 50k.  That would be to enjoy the challenge of this course.

My I LOVE IT goal: To finish within 31 minutes of my PR.
 With a current PR is 6:06 my I LOVE IT time would be 6:36.

My I DREAM IT goal: Under 6 hours.

As I often say, on any given day you just don't know what you are capable of until you amaze yourself doing it.  I will take all the positive experience I can from this race and it's runners and volunteers no matter how my body chooses to perform on Saturday. 

A Bump in the Road

Generally speaking the more technical the trail the better for me however when it comes to daily life I prefer smoothness.

The path my life is on has hit a speed bump.

Maybe the Mother of all speed bumps.

We are all fine and we will all be okay but right now I feel as though my mental confusion would seep through my blogging and add negativity to my posts.

I was reminded by an unexpected and much appreciated e-mail from a bloggy friend that I should let you all know that we are fine even though I am mostly silent.

I also want you to know that your support and encouragement has been a daily comfort for me.  Finding such a warm and welcoming group of friends has been a wonderful addition to my life.

Thank you all so much.

When you don't even know

I spent my morning run remembering a very cold day when Hubbs and I stood before this man (P) a long time family friend and our minister as we promised to spend our lives together.

With our current living situation Hubbs and I didn't talk this morning to wish each other happy Anniversary.  I sent a text and he emailed me.  Romantic, I know.  But for us it's okay we will see each other tonight.  I did however run into P while I was out briefly during my work day. 

He was with his family on his way for a doctor appointment.

He is battling cancer.

When he saw me his face lit up, arms went out and he greeted me with a long hug.  As we hugged he told me how he was thinking of that cold day long ago too.  He remembered little things about our freezing cold service.  We were married in a very old church building that was the beginning site of the church I belong to now. 

There is not heat. 

The building has a lot of history for me.  I used to play in it all the time when I was a child because they never locked it then. 

How great it was to know that P was lifting us up in prayer and celebrating with us this morning.

Despite what P is facing today, struggling to have tomorrow, his thoughts were still on others.

This is the kind of person who was with Hubbs and I as we stood before God.

Now that's a reason to celebrate. 

So today instead of telling you how very much I love my husband and how much we have each grown because of the other, I wanted to tell you about the kind of person I pray we will each become.  Because without him and all the many many times he prayed for us; when I didn't even know he was, Hubbs and I might not be celebrating our anniversary.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband

and Thank You to our wonderful friend who started it all.

God Bless you P.

Sorry no wedding day photos.  This is S'ghetti girls dedication which P performed also.