+FillUs

(If you haven't read Part 1, it's here .) (Sat) Oct 13 -  Sunrise at Spruce Knob 6 a.m. start in the dark. My legs surprised me by being happier than yesterday. My heart is in better place as well. The first 6.7 mile goes up to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. Part of this section was on fire road and I welcomed the faster miles. Steady progress was made in the first 20 miles or so until the long, long descent into Aid Station 3. As I have decided yesterday, I'd start the race, go from aid station to aid station, and re-evaluate my condition at each. I left Aid station 2 feeling good but then the long descent once again put doubts in my mind. Running reduced to little steps on jello-legs. Compression socks helped to contain the injury and pain, but the strength to support the pounding was still lacking. Soon, my knees started to hurt as well. At aid station 3, they told me I had 2:45 to make it to the next aid station before the cut-off. At the pace I...

Driving to Spruce Knob My experience at WV Trilogy is unimaginable. It wasn't just the run or the scenery, though both are spectacular - but more so my journey before and during the run, the emotions, the learning, and the tremendous love and support I get from friends and family. The last three days are not only a running adventure, but an opportunity of personal growth and defining moments which will outlast adrenaline or results. Each of the journal entry is written after the run on each day. I want to share it chronologically and hopefully could take you through my experience as I have experience it. (Thurs) Oct 11 at 8:19 pm -  In my dorm room, in bed. I'm still nervous about my shin splints and calf pain. Both legs were hurting this afternoon. There's nothing much I could at this point but just take everything as it is - pain, race, outcome... My job tomorrow is to simply show up and do what I can. I'm praying to open my heart and mind to whatever God has...

"I reminded myself before the run that the only thing that matters is receiving Christ's love and giving it out to others. I think God wants to work on the way I see myself right now. Getting wrapped up in times and performances is so easy! Am I worthy of respect and love because of my fast pace during workouts and my race results, or am I an adopted child of God who is incredibly loved by the Creator of the universe simply because I am His child? Do I appreciate others for who they are, or do I judge them by their performance and value them only when they run well? These questions challenge me." -Ryan Hall. (2011). Running with Joy. A timely quote as I prepare myself for this weekend. If anything, running has taught me that it is a receiving act like all aspects of my life. He has given me the ability to run and as I exercise it, He uses me and gives me the joy and contentment which I've never experienced before. There's simply nothing I can bring or add to wha...

Vac & Dash at HL-24 Here are things that went through my mind during the 24-hour run, somewhat chronologically: "I get a decal, a glass, and a shirt!?"  "Where's Peter?" Peter came the night before and set up camps. Sometimes I think he's gifted with 48 hours a day. "Wow. People actually do plan to run the whole duration." "Mt. Hinson?" There's a section of the course with a slight incline. I'm sure it's a fitting name at some point approaching 100 miles. I didn't give myself a chance to find out. "Haha" - upon hearing someone telling Sharon and I that we are on pace for women's 24-Hour American Record at mile 3. "Maybe I should switch to my hybrid shoes." And I did. After the first 13 miles, I switched from my Altra road shoes to the Inov-8 TerraFly for a little more tread. "25.84 miles? Eh, so close." 17 laps on the 1.52-mile loop - not quite a marathon. "30.4 ...

Sharon, Brandy, Peter, me The past Sunday we hosted the SLR Unsanctioned Race #3 - Paul-Ryan Almost Half Marathon. It's the third race of what has become a "series" of un-sponsored and unofficial event; hence the name Unsanctioned Race. At its heart, it's a gathering of runners, who love to share some miles, food, and laughter. The first time we had about 30 people. The second time Vac & Dash  in Albermarle came along to become our unofficial sponsor by donating shirts and their timing services. Peter Asciutto, owner of Vac & Dash , drove an hour and a half with all his equipment and shirts for nothing to his gain but us. Needless to say, the second Unsanctioned Race doubled in size and people brought enough food to feed a village in India. Now the third time, people know the drill: free event with timing, good food, and lots of friends. We had about 115 who RSVP'd on the  Facebook event and God provided the perfect fall weather for us. As with m...

Courtesy of Brandon Thrower An email from Peter, the spearhead of Abana Coffee Farm in Ethiopia, made my almost-eight-hour 50k effort all worthwhile. This is probably the toughest run I've done in terms of vertical climb (~8-9000') and it's not even a race. The Looking Glass Look-Around is a 43-mile route around Looking Glass Rock in Pisgah near Brevard, NC mapped out by Brandon Thrower from WNC Trail Runner.  I was  one of the nine who started the run but the wimpiest of all who only covered 30-31 miles while others completed the loop (plus some). I drove to Matt and Lily's pad in Brevard Friday night.  They have a great place that's within walking distance to downtown Brevard - cozy, sufficient, and welcoming like they are. I even snatched the guest room from Adam for arriving earlier than he did. While still dark at 6 a.m. Saturday morning, Matt, Kevin, and I set out to run to the start at Dividson River camping area and met up with everybody else....

My second time running the Blue Ridge Relay and my first time in both an ultra team and a women team. I was filling in for someone who has to drop and while I feel bad for her missing all the fun, I'm so glad to be on this team, the Distance Divas! Vac & Dash printed the shirts for us. Thanks, Peter! We are a team of six women, in running order: Tiffany, Kate, me, Cheryl, Erica, and Wendy. I only knew half the team before the race but what better way to get to know people other than spending almost three day-and-nights together? Here are my running stats: Total distance - 29.95 miles Total running time - 241.28 minutes Average pace - 8:05 min/mile As in all six-person team, we each run six legs of the race (36 total as a team). My favorite legs are the last two - a nine-mile run and a mountain goat leg. The nine mile leg started at around 5 a.m., a time that my body is not accustomed to running. I started the run feeling hollow inside, probably because I had not ...