Endurance Race Series Westminster 10k

After the Horsetooth Half, it was time to see what kind of toll my knee took, but it was also time to get ready for the first ERS race on April 30th.  All week long we watched the weather, hoping that the weather for Saturday would change.  But it did not, Friday afternoon and into the night it snowed, as well as into race morning.  Not much you can do about the weather.  You just have to make a choice whether you want to run or not run.  If you do decide to run in bad weather, you need to make wise choices about the gear you are going to wear.   Runners like to say "there is never bad weather, just bad gear", or something like that.  You get what I mean.

Race day morning was wet, snowy and cold.  I chose to wear my UA long tights with my GGU Skirt Sports Skirt over those for extra coverage.  I had my long sleeve Westminster ERS shirt on from last year (not that anyone even saw it), my Mizuno jacket and my Asics rain jacket over the top of that.  I had my ERS beanie on, as well as gloves with hand warmers inside.  Believe me, I stayed warm enough the whole race.  Tom and I met Linda and Stacy at the Front Range Community School, and we headed off in the snow.  The roads were just wet and got slushy when we got closer to Denver.  The weather was worse in Denver, but that didn't stop us from doing the race.

Stacy was doing the 5k (because she had knee issues), and Linda was walking the 10k; so both of them started shortly after we arrived at the race start.  Tom and I waited until the 10k officially began to start. Before the race began we were able to talk to a bunch of our ERS friends that we don't see much over the winter.  A few of them had attended one or two of the training runs, but others we hadn't seen since last year. The race started on time.  It continued to snow, and the wind picked up a little.  This course starts on a paved bike path, so there was really no problems with the first part of the course, it was just wet.  About mile 2 the course starts around a couple of ponds, and that area was very muddy.  Unfortunately,  because I was afraid I would slip and strain my MCL injury, I had to walk a lot of this part.  I didn't want to slip in the mud.  The rest of the course is on pebbled gravel, so the footing was great.  We turned around at mile 3.1 and headed back the way we came.  I hardly noticed the weather once we got started.  I dressed well, and actually too well.  Had to shed my beanie and my gloves while running, got too warm!  It was 24 degrees at the start, and I don't think much warmer then that when we finished.  We saw both Linda and Stacy on the way out, so they were doing well.

When the finish line finally appeared, I was ready for it!  This was the fastest that I had run since my MCL injury, and I was getting tired.  My knee was having a little bit of pain, but not too much.  I was just tired from bumping up my pace a little. It was good to be able to run faster, but it also caused me to get tired.  At the finish line we took pictures, and then went to find Linda and Stacy, who were both in the truck trying to stay out of the weather. We got a little bit to eat, waited for the  placings to be announced, and we left.  It was just so wet and cold, that staying outside for a long period of time wasn't really something you wanted to do.  I felt bad for the volunteers, Jeff and Denise. 

So, the first ERS race of the season was over, only 9 more to go!  Not that I am counting already! This course is relatively flat with some rolling hills, and normally has good views of the mountains to the west.  It is a good trail to start out the season because it is more of a beginners trail, and gives people a good start for the year.  It's pretty much 6.2 miles of mildly rolling hills.  I do enjoy this course, but if I had to run it over and over again, I would get mentally bored.  The ponds put a change into the course, and make it more interesting.  Last year we didn't go around them, and that was disappointing.  Would I recommend this race?  Of course!  It started on time, and is well run.  They made a few mistakes on the placings, which seem to happen when they let people start early.  The volunteers we all great, especially to stay out in the weather.  All the volunteers get to do another race for free, so a pretty good deal for them.  As said earlier, it is great race for first time trail runners, and it is close by if you live in Denver.

Tomorrow is the Greenland 8 Mile trail race, and the weather looks like it will be good, and probably hot.  The area got a lot of snow the day of Westminster, so there will be some mud and snow on the trails still.  This will be my first real trail race since my MCL injury, so I am a little anxious about it.  I also haven't had that great of a week of running.  All my miles have been really slow. Tuesday we did a lot of hills (Lions Park to the west over Bingham Hill and then after the Lory State Park turn off another mile - and back).  Thursday I was just terribly slow.  My body felt sore and tired.  I hope that I don't feel this way tomorrow.  I really want to enjoy this race.  Donna will be there, and last year it was a blizzard, so we will actually get to see the trail this year.

What to take away from the Westminster Race?  That you can run in bad weather, just get the right gear.  That I have improved with my MCL injury, and I am moving forward. 

Getting ready to start

Mud around ponds (Tom)

During the race

Me and MySoxyFeet at the finish line

Me, Tom, Stacy and Linda

Erika and I at finish (ERS Ambassador & friend)

Horsetooth Half: The Finish Line

It's almost been a week since I ran the Horsetooth Half.  I meant to blog that afternoon, but after icing my knee, and laying down for a short nap, it just didn't happened.  And then the week happened, so I never got it done.  Today we ran the first 10k in the Endurance Race Series, and I was going to blog about that, but I need to write about the Horsetooth Half first! 

The morning of the Horsetooth Half was beautiful!  Almost too beautiful!  The day before was cold, wet, rainy and snowing.  Tom had run the Running With Scissors Half Marathon at Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton that morning as well (we had to get up at 3am to get there).  Tom took 2nd overall in the Half Marathon.  Anyway, there was no snow in sight for today, not like the last three years, so this was nice.  At the start line I got see some of my Skirt Sport Sisters (Crisann and Stacey), as well as my trainer, Joey.  Was I excited? Nervous?  Not so much.  I was just ready to get it done.  I needed to get it done.

So, it was time!  Off we all went, all 1600 of us runners.  I was near the back, which was where I stayed for the duration of the race.  I hadn't taken any anti-inflammatories that morning or the night before because the make me so groggy.  But, both of my knees were taped and I had my MCL brace on my right leg, and my support band on my left leg.  I chugged up the first hill, crossed the dam, and chugged up the Monster Hill.  At the top of the Monster Hill I realized that I had gotten up there the fastest that I had since my injury!  I went up that hill smiling, I was running the Horsetooth Half, and today that was what mattered.  Over the next dam, up the Baby Monster Hill.  Doing well.  I had to walk down the steep hill after the Baby Monster, its just too steep for my MCL injury; and I promised my Doctor that I would walk down the hills.  It was very frustrating to see all the people run by me that I had passed on the hills, but today it was just the way it was.  The long road and turn to Bingham Hill is always treacherous (can't explain it, but if you run this course, you know what I mean).  I chugged up Bingham hill, and then Baby Bingham, suddenly I was at Lions Park, about 20 minutes faster then I predicted!  I was pretty happy with my pace, even though it was slow.

The miles after Lions Park (8.5 miles) are what I call the Easy/Hard miles.  Why?  Because you are now done with most of the hills, (except for the two really short, awful hill right before the finish line), and now it's basically a slight down hill route from here to the finish line.  But they are just hard, you have nothing to concentrate on, except for getting to the finish line.  This portion of the route is along the Poudre Trail. I have gotten used to this part of the trail, and it's not as bad as it used to be .  . . . but they are the Easy/Hard miles.  I felt good until about mile 10.5 when my MCL started being somewhat painful; then at mile 11.25 I was getting tired.  I hadn't been able to train enough past this mileage, so it was kind of expected - but I wanted it to be better.  I had to walk a little about every half mile after that.  So frustrating!  Looking back, I don't think I took in enough nutrition, so that might have added to my slower, tired pace - something to note for the next Half.  Maybe go back to Tailwind in my hydration pack, as I was keeping up on my hydration; and it is hydration and nutrition together.

There is an Aide Station at mile 12.2, only ONE more mile to go!  I was ready to be done, but at this point I almost started to cry.  I was going to make it!  I continued to struggle to the Finish Line, and somehow (as usual) got up those two small hills. When the Poudre Trail comes to Linden Street, you take a sharp left-hand turn, and guess what is there!  THE FINISH LINE!  It is about 0.20 miles from you at this point.  I started to run with whatever I had left.  I started to feel kind of weird at that point, can't explain it.  Like I was tired, like I was excited, like I might start crying; just weird, so I slowed down a little.  Then I ran across the finish line.  I was done.  I got my medal, and my pint glass. 

Wow.  It was done.  I did it.  It started with miles of training, then my MCL injury, then to walking, then the fight back to running.  Lots and lots of miles, I think about 155 miles (maybe more) to get to the finish line.  All the struggling, tears, smiles, and miles.  Here I was, at the Finish Line.  I think I won't forget this race for a while.  It was a milestone, but not a regular one, since I have done this race twice before, but a special milestone.  I tried to never give up, but some days it was hard.  I tried to keep my spirits up, but some days it was hard.  Tom never gave up on me, even the times I was ready to give up.  Inside, I never gave up on my goal.  The Finish Line.  However, the Finish Line at the Horsetooth Half is a goal, but a temporary one.  There is always the next goal.  It's good to have another goal on the horizon.  Never Give Up on Your Goals.

Tom and I waited to congratulate other runners/friends that came through the finish line after and before us; then into the food line.  Then, we saw our trainer, Joey again; and saw our neighbor get his trophy for first in his age group.  At that point, it was time to go get our McDonald's coke 😀 Our reward, and we usually talk about our run.  I was frustrated about my time, it was about 17 minutes slower then last year, but about 17 minutes faster then I thought I could do it.  Happy and frustrated, but in the end more happy.

Now to quickly review this race, the Horsetooth Half:  The RD is great, and the race is very well organized.  Started on time.  The packet pick-up the day before was very well organized.  The food at the end is good (but not to my liking, except they had rolls from The Great Harvest Company).  I can't drink beer, so well, I can't have any of the great New Belgium Beer. The RD, Nick is amazing. I can't say enough about him.  He was present everywhere during this race.  I saw him at the beginning, and at the end of the race.  He made all the announcements at the end.  He also organizes lots of training runs (every weekend for 14? weeks before the race.  He wants everyone to succeed.  He provides mini lectures for running on hills, and down hills, and how to keep your body strengthened for this race.  Very impressive.  Would I recommend this race?  YES!  This is the third time I have run it, and I will run it again next year.  It is not a race for a beginner unless to put the miles in to train.  You can do any race, as long as you train for it.  This race gives your the opportunity to train.  The hills are big, and so are the rewards for competition. This is a MUST DO race for all runners.  DO IT! 

Crisann, Stacey and I at start                               Tom, Joey and I at start

Headed to the start line                                               Made the local paper going up Monster Hill

Me at the Finish Line and with my Medal

#MySoxyFeet and icing after

Getting There: The Long Road to the Horsetooth Half

Here it is, 2 days before the Horsetooth Half.  Its finally getting close enough to get anxious about it.  I keep wondering if I will finish, and how long it will take me.  Actually, unless something bad happens, I KNOW I can finish.  I am determined to finish.  I've done the best training I could do with the circumstances that were given to me.  I honestly don't think I could have done much better with the training.  It's been a long slow road to recovery, and I am still 3 - 4 weeks away to 100% recovery.   

So, how did I get to where I am today?  It's been slow.  On March 2nd, I had done a 6.5 mile run from Maxwell to the 3 mile point on the HTH course, and back.  I remember feeling great.  The weekend before we had done 8.5 miles on the HTH with the Running U club, and we were only scheduled to run 7 miles that day.  I felt ahead of my training, and I was happy with it.  The next night, March 3rd, I got shoved down in an ice hockey game and my knees came together and I felt a pop on my right knee.  I know it couldn't be good, so I skated to the bench, and got some ice on my knee and never went back out.  I put a wrap on it, and thought I was going to cry.  Not because of the pain, because I just KNEW, and I started to get angry because I knew this was going to affect my running for a long time.  But, there is no crying in hockey, so I sucked it up until I got home.  I kept icing it and put a compression wrap on it, and kept it up on a pillow, and tried to rest it as much as possible, as well as take lots of ibuprophen.

I was able to get an appointment with an orthopedic doctor, Dr. Servi at The Northern Colorado Orthopedic Center the next Thursday.  During the wait for the appointment, I looked up on line what is might possibly be, which all pointed to an MCL injury.  I was happy to read that most didn't require surgery, so I was hoping I was correct.  I started to do the physical therapy exercises that I found on another orthopedic site.  Mostly, I needed to rehab my Quad, which sounds strange, but I really had trouble picking up my leg and moving forward, so it was the Quad that need rehab.  I worked on strength and mobility.  I also went to the gym.  I wanted to not go to the gym so bad, it was so hard to go that first day, I wanted to cry.  It was horrible, but I refused to sit back and do nothing. I could still use my arms, core, and I had another leg.  At the appointment, a 2nd degree MCL tear was diagnosed.  No need for surgery or an MRI, just ice, anti-inflammatories, ice, rest, and a brace (my "ball and chain').  She also was impressed with my mobility and strength in my leg.  She told me that it was possible to still do the HTH, but in a much slower time.  She also said I need to keep going to the gym, no weighted exercises, no squats or lunges. Also, the brace had to be worn 24/7.  She also told me I could start walking, and as soon as the swelling was under control, I could start running.  I was so thrilled about that.  So, what did I do?  Started walking, that's what.

No, it wasn't easy, both physically and mentally.   That Saturday I walked 2.59 miles, 24:18 miles/min. The next HTH training run was from New Belgium to 5 miles and back.  Of course, there was no way for me to run 10 miles, so I started walking with my friend Stacy.  When Tom got to the 5 mile mark, he texted me, and I turned around.  That day I walked 4.15 miles instead of 10 miles, 19:08 miles/min.  For the next week, I walked every singe day.  I went from  24 mins/mile to 16:42mins/mile that week.

On March 18th, we were to host the first Endurance Race Training run in Longmont, I knew I couldn't run much, so I was a little frustrated because I was supposed to be a host and a runner.  There were 2 other people that showed up that were also injured, so I ended up being able to help them and keep them on track.  The cool thing was that, I actually run a small amount.  Downhill's hurt the most, up hills, not so much.  That day I walk/ran 3.6 miles at a 16:02min/mile pace.  Not bad.  So, I continued.  When there was a group training run, I walked; ran when I could while everyone else ran.  That's how it was.  But I was able to increase my mileage, so I was still getting some distance in, and I was happy about that.  Did it hurt?  Yes.  And when I was done, I had to lay in bed with my knees on a pillow and ice, and ice. That's what I did every day.  Ran or exercised, then iced.  Marche 23rd was my first attempt at the Monster Hill.  The  up hills went well, the down hills were really tough.  But 17:59 miles/min was OK.  The next day my other knee really started bothering me, so I had to start wearing a support on that knee as well.  The Dr. said it was OK, but I am sure it has some damage.  So, I looked like I had two flat tires at this point, which I pretty much did, and still do.

March 26th was a 12 mile training run from New Belgium, I got in 9.21 miles at 13:40m/m.  The last two miles were tough, but I got it done.  I was happy to be there.  After that, I just slowly kept getting faster, some days were good some days were tougher.  I went back to the doctor on April 6th, that morning I ran 7.60 miles at 12:40 m/m.  The appointment went well.  She was again impressed with my mobility and strengthening.  The worst thing has been the pain, especially at night, and that I scuff my right foot, especially when I get tired.  She addressed the pain, and not sleeping with an anti-inflammatory Volteren, and I also asked for the topical, which I had used on my hands during the worst of my Carpal Tunnel.  This helped me tremendously!  I could sleep at night finally, and it mad the running less painful.  I was so grateful.  The problem was that it made me really groggy.  So, when I ran, most days I felt like I was running through a pool of jello. 

On April 13th I did my last hill HTH hill run from Lyons park over Bigham hill to the Lory State Park turn off and back.  It was tough. but I got it done.  The next day was another 6 mile run with the ERS group, the fourth Endurance Race training run I had participated in.  These were all Ambassador lead runs.  My miles/min average between 11:40 - 13:40 m/m, but better all the time, better than they were.

So, here it is, 2 days before the Horsetooth Half.  Worried? Yes.  Excited?  Maybe.  Determined?  Yes.  I will get there.  This may be the hardest Half I have ever done, but I think I am up for the challenge.  I have to be.  It's going to be just one step moving forward at a time, keeping focus on how my knees and the rest of my body is doing.  Walk the down hills, walk when I am tired.  Realize that there are other people on the course that are also injured.  I have done this race twice before.  I will get there.  Just keep moving forward.

Being Injured is a Pain

I guess it has been a while since I have blogged, mostly because the last month has been a tough one, and I really haven't felt like it.  However, I have been running and training for the Horsetooth Half, which is now 4 days away.  This is taper week, and since we aren't running so far, it has given me a little more time to think about writing. 

On March 20th I had to put down Tilly, my 36 year old mare that I have had for 28 years.  She had some kind of neurological episode, and she was having trouble using her hind end, and I could see that she was miserable.  I then arranged for a Veterinarian, who is a hockey team mate to come up and euthanize her.  I also wanted her buried at home, so I had to arrange for a hole to be dug, and then someone to push the dirt back over her when the euthanasia was done.  Everything went well, but it left huge hole in my heart, and I think that it will be a while before I won't be sad about it.  She was with me for a long time, and she was a very special horse.  She gave me three foals, and we went to many shows (Hunter/Jumper, Appaloosa breed shows), and we logged a lot of trails together.  Its been difficult.  Yesterday, Puck, one of her foals, who is 16 years old, colicked for the first time.  Fortunately he is doing better this afternoon, but it has been stressful thinking about losing another horse so soon.

I am also still dealing with my MCL injury.  This has been a long road back to being healthy, and it isn't over yet.  I have tried to keep a smile on my face, especially when going to the gym, but it's been tough.  I am not to do any weight bearing exercises, and any lateral movement exercises; so this really limits what I can do.  I adore my trainer, but I think some days that he forgets that I am injured and that I have limitations.  I have pain, swelling, and most of all frustration.  All I am trying to do is get back to where I was before this happened, and the road is long, tedious, painful, mentally taxing, and frustrating.  Some days going into the gym is really, really hard.  I don't want to go, I feel embarrassed to be such a baby, but then proud when I am able get something done that I didn't think I could do.  There were a few days that I started crying in the gym, talk about embarrassing.  The tears were there and I couldn't stop them.  I felt (and still do) that no one understands how hard it is to be a runner, and an active person with this injury.  Yes, I am so grateful that it was ONLY a tear.  Yes, I am grateful that I could walk and start running.  Yes, I am grateful that it is healing well.  But it has been a struggle, and many days it has been hard to remain positive, and not feel depressed and negative about it.  My trainer one day told me that I should be grateful, and told me a story of someone that lost his foot.  I AM grateful, but some days it is too hard to deal with the pain and frustration, as well as losing Tilly.  I am also in pain EVERY DAY, and worse at night, and I hadn't been getting the sleep I needed. 

Two weeks ago I went to see my orthopedic doctor (Dr. Servi) again, and she was very positive about my progress.  She said that my joint is very stable, and I can take my brace off when I am in the house and doing things that it is unlikely that I will hurt myself.  She said that I am 75 -80% healed!  She was also amazed at my range of motion, as most people don't get it back so quickly, and she attributes it to staying active, going to the gym and walking/running.  She gave me the OK to go ahead and do the Horsetooth Half, as long as I realize that I will need to walk the down hills, and some of the course because I just couldn't get all the training in as needed.  She said that I am much better off then most people, because they tend to sit on the couch and "rest" too much.  I was glad to hear that, and I am proud of myself for working so hard at getting better - pushing through the bad days.  She also gave me a new anti-inflammatory, as I am not taking enough Ibuprofen to  get rid of all the swelling and pain, and not being able to sleep at night.  She gave me Volteren, oral and topical (I requested the topical), and it certainly has helped me a lot.  It makes me really groggy, so I have started this past Monday to just take it at night.  This has helped with the grogginess.  Some days I was so groggy, trying to run felt like running through the ocean fighting the waves.  I think that the Volteren really changed things for me for the positive, and I notice a huge difference in how I felt as far as the pain, swelling, and sleeping is concerned. 

Another frustration is gaining weight.  No, I have no idea how much weight I have gained, nor do I want to know.  That would be way to discouraging to know.  But what I do know is that I have gained weight, and I want to get it off.  I don't think that my eating habits have changed, some days I don't even think I am eating enough calories.  However, the first week after my injury I was told to rest, ice and keep my knee up; which is what I mostly did.  The second week I was told by Dr. Servi that I could definitely start walking, but couldn't run until the swelling was mostly down AND I could keep it down.  So, I did a lot of walking, and going to the gym; but after both of those I had to rest and ice.  I had to ice several times a day, which means that I had to rest several times a day, which meant that times that I would normally be active, I wasn't.   Tom also took over my morning chores, because the possibility of me hurting myself doing them was pretty likely; there fore I also lost that part of my active day.  So, the frustration of gaining weight and losing my endurance is a real frustration and concern.  Maybe if I was a lot younger it wouldn't be so hard to get it back, but I am 55 years old.

Lastly, trying to go through the motions of doing things that you still HAVE to do, even if you are injured.  Going to delivery things for Mom at the Memory Care (several times a week), going to the grocery store, driving, cleaning the litter box, social events, etc; all the while pretending that you feel fine, and it's no big deal.  But it is a big deal, and inside you want to start screaming, and you get tired of telling people what happened to you.  And wearing "real" clothes.  Jeans are just too tight to wear over my brace, and I only have one pair that feel comfortable, which are a new, not washed pair - at some point I will have to wash them, and then they will be too tight on the brace.  So, when it is cold, I wear my winter Xerion running tights, or leggings, which I never wear in public (except for running); or when it is nice, I wear shorts or my #skirtsport skirts.  It hurts to get in and out of the truck, and it is so stiff and sore after driving or sitting.  There just isn't an answer, life goes on, so you have to go with it.  No one is going to do it for you.

I just feel like I have hit a lot of road blocks, but my internal desire is to try and push through it, no matter how hard.  I am better then this injury.  I have had a lot of ups and downs: injury with a 10+ week healing time, weight gain, lose of my beautiful long time friend Tilly, depression, frustration, pain, resting, icing, crying, no sleep, and trying to remain positive.  Just putting one foot in front of the other, every day.

So, now, here it is 4 days before the Horsetooth Half.  How did running go the last 6 weeks that I haven't blogged? Slow is the best answer.  However, I think I will talk about running tomorrow, it's time for bed, and hopefully I will get some good rest tonight. 

Endurance Race Series Ambassadorship

My history with the Endurance Race Series has been a long one, quite possibly from almost the beginning.  During the first year of running, when Mike Numon challenged me to run a 5k, which I completed; he then challenged me to run a 10k by the end of the summer.  I spent quite a while trying to find the perfect 10k for me.  I really liked trail running (as opposed to street running), and I needed something with relatively little elevation gain.  I can't remember where I found the Denver ERS 10k, but I think possibly on the internet or running magazine.  It seemed to fit the description  that I was looking for.  I had been training for longer distances, but when I ran my first ERS 10k, it was the first time I had run 6.2 miles.  I ran the whole thing as well, no walking.  I had fun, loved the post-race party, the medal, and the people.  It was the only 10k I ran that first year, but I started looking into the race series for the following year.

The following year we ran four of their races (Denver, Glenwood Springs, Snow Mountain Ranch, and Louisville).  I am not sure why we didn't run more, or sign up for the whole series, but we were new runners, and didn't know enough about the running community.  Plus,  6.2 miles was a lot for us at the time. We really enjoyed the Race Directors Jeff and Craig, as well as the Volunteer Coordinator, Denise.  The following year we signed up for the whole series.  We have run the entire series three times!  It's not only the trails that bring us back, but the people that manage the series, as well as the people that participate in the series.  These people are mostly down to earth kind of people, friendly and are there to have fun.  We have also made several good friends because of running the series, and we get to enjoy each others company more than just during the race season.

Last year the Endurance Race Series started an Ambassador program.  The program required you, as an Ambassador to run all the races, wear ERS Ambassador Gear, pass out you Ambassador discount code cards, work the booth at another race for promotion, post on Social Media, and help out at the ERS races.  You also got to run all the races for no cost!  Both Tom and I applied, and Tom got one of the Ambassadorships!  I didn't get one, but I still enjoyed going, running, and helping out at the ERS races last year.  Tom did a great job being an Ambassador, and it was fun helping him reach out to people and post for him on Social Media.  At the end of the year, Jeff (Race Director) gave me an ERS hoodie for helping out!  I love it, and wear it all the time.

This year I got asked to be an Ambassador!  I was so excited!  So far, it has been so much fun, and the race season hasn't really even started.  We are required to work for our Season Pass this year, getting people to use our codes, which wasn't too difficult.  It made you reach out to runners that you know, to running groups, and just talk to other runners that you encounter.  It has been a really good experience so far.  We are also required to do a training race.  Tom and I did our training race a few weeks ago in Longmont at the course site for this years Longmont event.  We had a good time, and met several runners that came from Arvada to run with us, as well as Season Pass holder Glen Ort. Tom and I traveled 180 round trip miles this past weekend to be with Stacy Allen Boyd for her training run in Morrison at Deer Creek Canyon.  Beautiful trail and views, but the trail was so muddy I couldn't run on it because of my injury.  For being an Ambassador, we were given products from some of the Series Sponsors.  We received an Ultimate Direction hydration vest, Gnarly Protein and hydration samples, personal discount code cards, and really great ERS Ambassador gear to wear.  The season hasn't even started, and it has been fun meeting new runners by making contact and passing out my discount code card along the way.  I am really looking forward to the race season this year, and I am hoping that my MCL injury is well on it's way to healing when it begins. 

Being part of a team is something that is personally important to me.  Before I retired, and was working as a Supervisor.  I felt that just being a supervisor wasn't just about supervising, but it was about working as a team.  I think it is important to work with the people on your team, everyone brings something different to the table.   I play ice hockey, and everyone on the team is important; no matter how good you play, or whether you can score goals or not.  You work together with the levels that each player is able to play at, and use it to develop a play. That's how you score goals.  Learn about your team mates, find out what their skills are, and help to them to develop new skills and excel at their current skills.  The ERS Ambassador team brings 5 people together that have different goals, achievements, running paces, and different skills.  We have leaders that recognize the importance of what each person brings to the team.  That's what team work is all about.  The Race Director (Jeff), the Volunteer and Ambassador coordinator (Denise), and the Ambassadors (Rebecca, Erica, Stacey, Tom and I) are a team; and that's just another reason I am excited to be a new Ambassador for the Endurance Race Series.

Once again, I urge you to apply for Ambassadorships for products that you love and care about.  At this point, I had two Ambassadorships, #mysoxyfeet and the Endurance Race Series.  Both are dear to my heart.  Make sure that they don't conflict with each other if you have more than one.  I wear the ERS gear (shirts and hats), and wear MySoxyFeet on my feet.  No problem.  Next time I will talk about my newest Ambassadorship, #skirtSports, a company that designs running skirts in Boulder, CO.

See you out on the trails . . . . .

My Soxy Feet Ambassadorship

Since I can't run for a while, and since this is a "running" blog (?), I thought I should take some time to write about my Ambassadorships.  When I first started running, I had no idea that companies had "ambassadors", and what were they anyway?  The longer you stay in a sport, hobby or your career you continue to learn things about them.  Being an Ambassador is like being a walking advertisement board with all kind of information about the product.  You also represent the company and the product.  I suggest that if you are an Ambassador to something, make sure that you love it.  If you want to be an ambassador to more than one company/product, make sure they don't conflict with each other.  Also, fill your role as an Ambassador by doing what is required of you - basically, it's like a job.  I am an Ambassador for three different companies now, so instead of being retired, I like to say that I have three jobs :-)

My first Ambassadorship started just over a year ago, #MySoxyFeet.  I saw the invitation to be an Ambassador for My Soxy Feet on Facebook.  I had never heard of the company, never had seen their products, and never tried their socks before; but it just felt right.  I really wanted to be part of something. Since retiring, I needed to be part of something new and exciting. So, I decided to apply, why not?  A couple of months later I got an e-mail from Jason and Melissa telling me I had been chosen to be a My Soxy Feet Ambassador!  I was so excited, but also, I hadn't tried their socks, so I was a little worried to represent a company that I didn't know much about.  But, I took a chance, and so did they.   I ordered the shirt and the compression socks, and proceeded to fall in love with this company, and people who run it. 

I was so excited to get my Ambassador gear in the mail.  The compression socks were amazing!  So, of course, after that I ordered some of their other socks.  My Soxy Feet socks are now the only running sock that I wear.  After wearing their regular running socks for the first time, I never gone back to any other socks.  They never blister, they are comfortable, they support my foot, they keep my feet dry from any sweating, and they are super cute.  My Soxy Feet also offer you free socks for wearing and tagging the socks on social media.  Wow, how fun is that, no problem for me.  You get points for pictures on FB, Instagram, Twitter, etc.  I just do FB and joined Instagram to help advertised the socks.  So, a couple of times a year, I have the opportunity to cash in my points and get some free socks - this however doesn't keep me from buying socks as well.  They also offer their Ambassadors a discount for themselves, and a personal discount code for me to give to others.

There is also a couple of bonuses of being an Ambassador for My Soxy Feet other then just the fun of taking sock pictures and getting free socks. First, they have an Ambassador's FB page, and I have "met" other Ambassadors, and talk to them about running and other things and have become friends with them.  Second, the owners,  Melissa and Jason Corp.  I can't say enough about Melissa and Jason.  Melissa follows me on FB, she sends messages to me via Messenger, adds the cutest notes with every order I make.  She is kind and caring, and loves to run as well.  I have made wonderful friends because of My Soxy Feet.  I am so proud, happy and privileged to be part of this company.  I love their socks (and other products), and I love helping to help them get their product out there. I have been able to get some of my friends to order their socks as well, and they love them too.   The company is  based out of Florida, and I hope someday to meet them and the other Ambassadors that live there.  I am a better person for being an Ambassador for MySoxyFeet.

Be an Ambassador for companies you love.  I love MySoxyFeet .

Add Wearing MySoxy Ambassador gear on top of the Monster Hill

Riley sleeping on MySoxy socks

Me after an 11 mile run with MySoxy compression socks

From Good to Bad

Last Thursday was my last run for a while (of course at the time I didn't know that), and it was a good one!  We were supposed to run 5 miles for Horsetooth Half training; but I felt so good that I ran 6 miles.  I actually felt really good, and wanted to run more, but decided not too push that good feeling into a bad feeling.  My hips/back was a little painful, but overall, I felt great.  I had a couple of PR's on some of the sections up and down the Monster Hill, and felt really great about it.  The run was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and most importantly, no wind.  I also got some encouragement from someone at the top, a women said "great work up that ass-busting hill".  Wow, that made me feel even better. I can say that this was one of the most enjoyable runs I've made up the Monster Hill.

I wore the High Five Skirt Sport for the first time, and had no issues with it.  #skirtsports  I had to buy a medium in this skirt, as the skirt part in the small was a little tight.  I did notice that there wasn't as much compression in the shorts underneath that I normally would like, but other than that, it was great.

Top of the Monster Hill with my new High Five Skirt Sport Skirt and ERS shirt

The sign by the CSU stadium, no more football will be played here

The next evening I had a Hot Flash Hockey game in Denver, at the APEX area.  Of course I was looking forward to it, and was excited to play with my team.  This team is kind of rough, and we were prepared for them to have a grudge against us, since we beat them with a very short bench last time we played them.  The game went into overtime, and we won in sudden death.  We were winning at the beginning of the second period we were winning 1/0.  At one point I went for the puck and had it on my stick and somehow two girls from the other team came from behind and I got pushed down.  My knees came together in a "butterfly" position, and I felt a pop on my right knee.  I went to the bench, and a couple of the girls asked me if I was OK.  I said "no".  I got ice from a guy that was with us on the bench, and sat there with ice on my knee.  The game got tied up that period. 

During the period break, Karen, who is a Veterinarian looked at my knee, and said it was probably a Medial Carpal Ligament injury.  She told me to keep ice and compression on it.  I went into the locker room, and wrapped it with some Vetwrap for compression.  It did swell up, but not as bad as I thought it would.  It definitely hurt. 

I was able not to cry all the way home, but when I got home I started crying.  I cried off and on for  two days.  I couldn't believe that I am hurt and unable to run and play hockey. I have had so many injuries in the past 4 months, I couldn't believe I have another one.  This one I know would keep me from running.  I am mad at myself for playing hockey at all, because now I can't run.  But I love hockey as well.  I am devastated.   It hurts, I can't walk well, my knee is stiff.  I CAN'T RUN.  I CAN'T RUN. Running is my therapy, I don't know how I will get through this.   Somehow I have to be strong and make the healing start and get better so I can run.

I called an orthopedic physician, and have an appointment on Thursday morning.  Today I went to my gym class, knowing that I might not be able to workout much.  I couldn't do the running warm up but I did some of the mat warm up, and Joey changed my workout so that I could work out.  I did planks, and bridging, and the first half of a Turkish Get-up.  The second part of the workout, he also modified me so that I didn't do the squats.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate Joey.  I thought I was going to cry, but he was glad that I made the choice to come to the gym and do what I could.  It made the difference. I thought my knee might be more painful for workout, or swell up, so I went home and put ice on it.  It has not swell up, nor does it hurt more.  In fact, it hurts less.  I feel somewhat hopeful now.  Maybe it will just be a strain, which should take 1 -2 weeks for healing.  A tear will take four weeks, and a rupture will take six weeks - at least that what my research came up with.

I am going to try my best to stay positive, I can beat this (well, I hope). It there is no swelling tomorrow morning and it feels better, I will start doing some rehab exercises.  These exercises mostly keep the joint mobile and develop or keep strength in the quad.  It says you can do with some pain, but don't force.  So, here I am trying to fight another injury.  I know I am supposed to run, but maybe this might be the rest that I need.  Maybe the extra time I need to get other projects done.  I don't know.  What I do know, is that I have the Horsetooth Half to get ready for, and I hope I can get there.  I hope I don't fall into a pit of despair. I hope I quit crying.  That's all.

Monster Hill, I will be back . . . . . . .

Hot Flash Hockey Team